79th BELGOOLY & DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SHOW

At an event where the weather can determine the success of the event, conditions were ideal for locals and visitors to enjoy the 79th Belgooly Show on Saturday 31st May.

When entering the Domestic marquee, run by secretaries Sheila Foott-Kelleher, Ann Coleman & Angela Foley, you were met by a display of colour from the paintings, needlework and crafts, as well as the scent from the fantastic flowers and mouth-watering baking.  With 850 exhibits there was much to be impressed by, requiring a lot of work for the judges to reach their decisions.  For the second year in a row Jude Ward (Kinsale) deservedly won the Best Exhibit in Baking, while Caroline Cremin from London and Ballingarry won the Best Individual Craft Exhibit with her intricate needlework.  It was also the second year in a row for Mary O’Leary (Ballyregan) to win Best Floral Arrangement with her magnificent interpretation of the class titled “Nature’s Diversity”. 

There was great imagination and effort went into the Best Scarecrow competition with some very topical displays.  Blake Cloverdale (Oysterhaven) beat off stiff competition to win Best Scarecrow while Aoife O’Brien (Curra, Belgooly) won overall Best Exhibit in the Primary School classes with her fantastic Lego display.

Selina O'Donovan: Dog Show Secretary; Michael O'Regan: Treasurer; Cllr.Alan Coleman: Irish Dancing Steward; Gertrude & Eileen Ahern: Show Secretaries, next to Mary O'Regan: Chief Safety Officer, at the 79th Belgooly & District Agricultural Show, 31st May 2025. Photo Siobhán Russell

As always, the quality of the horses, ponies and cattle was exceptional and provided great displays for the onlookers.

The array of animals in the Cattle Section provided a quality exhibition for the spectators, and the high number of exhibitors and quality of handling in the Young Handler classes show there is a bright future in animal showing. In the Beef section: New exhibitor Micheal Creed (Inchigeela, Macroom) took home the Dan Joe O’Regan Cup for Supreme Champion Beef Animal with Foxy while Tim O’Donovan (Dunmanway) won the Champion Beef Calf award.

In the Dairy section: Champion Maiden Heifer award went to Peter & Eileen Kennelly (Ardfert, Co. Kerry) with Croagh Fran 165, while the Hynes family (Aherla, Co. Cork) won the Best Friesian Heifer Calf award with Rathard Legit Maddie.  Lisduff Farms won the Best Friesian Cow with Lisduff Sunflower 374 and went on to win the Supreme Champion Dairy Animal Award.

In the equine section: Patrick O’Sullivan (Leap) had a successful day taking home the Champion Brood Mare award with Droum Bridge Lass and also the George & Sidney Good Cup for Champion Foal.

One of our long-time exhibitors, Seamus Lehane (Clonakilty), also had a very successful day with Ballard Highway Man who won the Champion Young Horse and also went on to win the Supreme Horse Champion.

Ciara Corkery on Castletown Harry, bred by Ned Moore, won the Champion Hunter. Lorna Neville (Riverstick) took home the O’Brien Saddlery Cup for Working Hunter Horse.

In the pony section: Emma Walsh (Fethard, Co. Tipperary) had a worthwhile journey south with Emloughmore Maestro as they took home the Champion Ridden Pony and also went on to win the Ireland Waste Water Cup for Supreme Pony Champion.

Jerry Moloney (Clonakilty) won the Champion Led Pony Shield with Barryroe while Samantha Hickey (Minane Bridge) kept the Cecil Gash Cup in the family, winning it for Champion Working Hunter Pony on Charlie’s Freedom.

Siomha Hyde from Ballymacoda won the Champion Starter Stakes with Ormond Kestral while Rebecca Fleming (Bandon) was deservedly awarded the Mini Pony Championship with Whiteleaze Secret Temptation.

The Mounted Pony Games were highly entertaining for the spectators as the riders and their ponies demonstrated great skill during the fast-paced competitions held throughout the day.

The popular Fun Dog Show attracted great numbers of dogs of every variety. Eleanor Walsh (Carrigaline) with Levi had a very successful day as they won the J&E Bateman Shield for Best in Show and also took home the Best Groomed Award. Aoife Cullinane (Ballinspittle) with Lando was awarded the Reserve Best in Show.

At the Irish Dancing Feis, spectators were treated to great dancing from all ages. Due to the high quality on display it was decided to award two Best Dancers with the prizes going to Samantha Jones and Amy O’Sullivan – both from Riverstick. Majella Griffin, all the way from Limerick, was the appropriate winner of Most Suitably Dressed Lady and the judges were thrilled to award Cullen Haughey (Belgooly) with Bonny Baby of the Show. 

The free attractions included a mobile pet farm & poultry display, Lego club, balloon maker and face painter. The display of vintage cars, tractors and machinery was well received. 

The volunteers in the Tea Tent worked hard to provide as many refreshments as needed to all the stewards, judges, and show-goers alike. The friendly, welcoming atmosphere in the marquee is a much-valued attraction for all those who return to the show every year. For some, it is the annual reminder of the warm welcome that has always been a hallmark of Belgooly Show.

Our gate and parking stewards worked hard to ensure the traffic flowed freely throughout the day!

The Chairman, Mr John Stanley thanked all the volunteers who made the day such a success – at the gate, in parking, in the various marquees, in safety, and those supporting our panels of judges. The support given by the whole community in the days leading up to the Show as well as on the day itself cannot be underestimated as the Show could not go on without this help. There were many new faces helping in the field on the evenings before Show Day, giving essential help towards the Show.  Mr Stanley also paid tribute to our sponsors and subscribers who are very much appreciated and are vital to the holding of this event. He also paid tribute to our hosts the Cooney family for not only the warm welcome they have given to the Show to their land but also their tireless work in helping with all aspects of the smooth running of the Show. 

Mr Stanley appreciated the attendance of Irish Shows Association President Freda Kinnarney, who took time to meet with exhibitors and present awards throughout the day. The help and support of the ISA is much appreciated and helps all their Shows continue to do their very best, and Belgooly Show congratulates the ISA in celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year.

Congratulations to all our exhibitors and prize winners.  We appreciate all the time and effort you put in to continually contribute towards the Show! Without your ongoing support, not only would we have no show but out community would sorely miss all the disciplines for which you all serve as great examples and role models.  

We look forward to next year’s Show when we celebrate the milestone of our 80th Belgooly & District Agricultural Show