The 44th annual Elphin Agricultural Show will take place this Saturday, September 2nd, at Elphin Livestock Mart with €40,000 in prizes on offer across a wide range of classes.
There will be classes for cattle, sheep, horses and ponies, dogs, poultry, cookery and much more on the day.
Free children’s entertainment will also be provided and the Gerard Butler Dance and Jiving Competition will also be taking place. The ever-popular Bonny Baby Competition makes a welcome return as does Elphin 2023 Little Miss, Little Master, Parent and Child Lookalike, and Elphin 2023 Miss Teen.
The Most Glamorous Granny, Most Appropriately Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Gentleman are other big attractions from shows past and are sure to draw plenty of participants and interested spectators.
Speaking this week, Chairperson of the Elphin Agricultural Society, Tommy Gormley said there would be several new classes at this year’s show and something of interest for everyone, both young and old.
“We have something for everyone at this year’s Elphin Show…from those under the age of eight to those over the age of 80! This year’s event will be geared towards families with plenty of children going free and plenty of free entertainment for them on the day from bouncy castles to pet farms and everything in between,” he said.
“We have all the usual classes too in cattle, horses, sheep, farm produce and more and a number of All-Ireland classes taking place on the day”.
Thanking the show’s many sponsors including hosts Elphin Livestock Mart and show launch venue An Bothar Rua, Mr Gormley said the committee was extremely grateful for the support.
“We are lucky to have Elphin Mart providing their facilities and also An Bothar Rua who hosted our recent launch night,” he said.
“Again, we thank all our sponsors of the show, especially our main sponsors, the mart, the Stevenson and Sweeney families, Jim Callery and the Callery family, Emlagh Lodge Vets, and the many local businesses, organisations and individuals who support us.
“We are also very grateful to the manager and all the staff at the mart, and our hard-working committee for all their efforts in helping to make the show a success each year”.
Mr Gormley also highlighted the support of the Irish Shows Association, Minister Heather Humphreys and her Department, the Department of Agriculture and local authorities such as Roscommon County Council.
“We received a grant of €8,250 through Minister Heather Humphreys’ Department and the Irish Shows Association, for which we are very grateful,” he said.
“Thanks also to the various breed societies, who are always great supporters of our show and the Department of Agriculture.
“We will finish this year’s show with a Show Dance in An Bothar Rua on Saturday night. Music by Regina McDermott and everyone is very welcome.
“Preparations are almost complete and we are looking forward to this year’s show now – so hopefully we’ll see some good weather!”
For more information on any of the classes or how to register for this year’s Elphin Agricultural Show, visit www.elphinshow.com.
