Armagh County Agricultural Show and Country Festival will be held on Saturday 13th June 2015 in the beautiful surroundings of Gosford Forest Park, close to the village of Markethill.
The show has enjoyed a growing level of success and now over 20,000 people regularly attend. It is one the largest annual public events in the Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council area and is now recognized as one of the leading one-day Agricultural Shows in the country.
This year we welcome Fane Valley as are principal sponsor, with other premier sponsors including Armagh City Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, Hewitt Meats, Pinkertons, Linwoods, Maison Real Estate, Wilson’s Country, First Trust Bank, Ulster Bank, Bank of Ireland and Danske Bank.
In the Food Village, the Show has been selected to host a heat of “ The All Ireland Home Cook Championship” with eight cooks demonstrating ‘Creativity with Irish Ingredients’. The winner’s prize includes a one week cooking course at the world renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School. Finals of this will be held in Castleblaney later in the August. So, if there are any budding amateur cooks out there who wish to have a go, then give us a call.
This year we are re introducing our Best Dressed Female and Gent on Showday, sponsored by Lila’s and JR McMahon, this will be run in conjunction with a Fashion Show styled by both stores. Trade stands from all over the country will grace the park and we will have our normal Livestock on show with the full range of classes on parade for Dairy and Beef Cattle, Sheep, Goats and Pigs …. and maybe even other rare and exotic breeds including Alpacas ! Another first for Armagh this year will be a Dog Grooming competition which will start sharp at 9.00am.
In the Equestrian Classes there is a full range of in-hand and ridden classes for ponies and horses including, donkeys, clydesdales and miniatures. Our Poultry Section has grown dramatically and this year they will be exhibiting over 600 birds of all varieties. And of course the Home Industries continues to grow and competition for rosettes in Craft, Photography, Art and Cooking will be fierce! To mark Fane Valley’s involvement with the Show this year there will be a prize draw for two hampers and a signed Ulster Rugby Shirt …tickets to enter will be printed in the Show Catalogue.
To ease the traffic problems this year, visitors are encouraged to use the parking fields on the Mullabrack / Hamiltonsbawn and Tandragee Roads and make their way to the entrance gates on those roads where a free Park & Ride trailer will transport them to the Show Grounds.
Make a date in you diary and come and enjoy all the fun with your family at the Armagh County Agricultural Show and Country Festival on Saturday 13th June 2015 … a day not to be missed! Check out our Web page www.armaghshow.com and find us on FaceBook and Twitter. Entrance fees are £10 for adults with children under 16 free.