On Saturday 14th July, Castlewellan Show promises a great array of activities showing off the best of local agriculture, food, crafts and rural pursuits.
With dog agility, show jumping, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, pigs and home industries spread across fifty acres of Castlewellan Forest Park we are all set to offer a great day out for all the family.
The Show offers a wonderful opportunity to enable children to get close to a range of animals with kid goats, lambs, kune kune pigs, NI Rabbit Club, hens and alpacas as well as an array of livestock. The goats will be occupying their usual location and again features the incredible cute pygmy pigs The pig section offers an opportunity to see some of the rare breeds and less familiar pigs. The rabbit and poultry tents are always busy and children can pet and hold the rabbits.
Visitors will get a chance to try out felt making, weaving, straw making and watch demonstrations of threshing and stick making. The County Down Young Farmers are holding the final of the Build It competition alongside tug of war, tractor driving and water games. This year we have scheduled entertainment in one of the main rings with the Castlewellan Interchurch Choir and displays from Silverstream sheepdogs and East Down hunt. There will also be a live auction for a stay at the Kilmorey Arms, Kilkeel.
The Mayobridge farm model display is back again along with the very popular Grass Lads miniature working farm machinery and the Seaforde Vintage Club which always attracts the young and not so young. Judges will be circulating for the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady and Gentleman with great prizes. There is a small pet competition with entries on the day. The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service along with the PSNI will have their engines, liveried tractor, mobile police station and be putting on accident rescue displays as well as advising visitors on farm safety and crime prevention. The Farm Families Health Check unit will be on site and visitors can get on-the-spot Blood Pressure monitoring, BMI, cholesterol check and diabetic screening.
Every year over 100 dogs take part in the dog agility classes, so bring a seat along and grab a good spot beside the ring. Then head over to the Home Industries tent where you can peruse home baking, jams, crafts, photography, art and the scarecrows. We received over 1600 entries in our schools section including lots of Unicorns made from recycled material many of which will be on display. If all that makes you thirsty you can have a tea and scone in the Save The Children vintage tea tent or a stronger tipple at the bar
Over 150 traders will be promoting agricultural machinery, environmental initiatives, livestock products, outdoor furniture, garden plants, farm toys, clothing and local crafts. This year we are delighted to have continuing support from DAERA NI Regional Food Programme and our local gourmet food tent includes producers of hand churned butter, cider, jams, chutneys, honey, tray bakes, infused vinegars, sauces and ice cream. It will also host a qualifier for the ISA Young Home Cook championship. The craft and information tent is packed with over 40 stalls selling jewellery, handmade cushions, clothes, wooden toys, paintings, baby items, skin products, pottery and stationery.
Mossvale Riding Club are providing the unaffiliated show jumping with entries on the day. The main horse, pony and donkey classes have attracted in excess of 425 entries of high calibre with riders from throughout the island.
Castlewellan Show is renowned for the quality of livestock with cattle, sheep, goat and pig sections. We are delighted to once again host the Danske Bank NISA Sheep champion final and we have a new Britmilk Beef Calf championship.
We have over 750 sheep registered, 350 cattle, 60 rabbits and our largest ever entry of poultry with in excess of 400 birds so a competitive day is anticipated and a wonderful spectacle for those looking on.
This year we will greet 40 visitors from Virginia Show as part of a cross border initiative and we look forward to showing them the best of Co. Down hospitality. The Show appreciates the ongoing support from EDA Media, Newry Mourne & Down District Council and Tourism Northern Ireland along with all our other sponsors and aims to attract people from throughout the island to enjoy the Mournes area. The Show runs from 9am – 5pm, admission is £10 for adults, £5 for Young Farmers (with their card), Under 16s go free and there is no charge for parking. For a full list of trade stands and attractions, go to the website www.castlewellanshow.com