Belgooly Show 2026: The 80th Annual Show will be held on Saturday 30th May 2026 at Ballingarry, Belgooly

By Kind permission of Kevin and Claire Cooney

At a Reception in The Huntsman Bar on 14^th May to launch the 2026 Show, the 80^th Show, Chairman Mr. John Stanley paid tribute to all who help each year to make Belgooly Show happen and have kept it going down through the years. Reflecting on the 2025 Show, he said we were blessed with great weather, and that it was great to see the return of so many volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors and supporters, all pulling together on the day. He expressed gratitude on behalf of the Show for the grant funding made available by the Minister of Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, to Agricultural Shows this year for the support of Our Rural Future. He looks forward to meeting everyone again at this year’s Show. He said Agricultural Shows demonstrate Rural Life at its best, including horses, cattle, and local produce. Not to be overlooked is the opportunity to meet up and have a chat with neighbours and friends. John paid tribute to all of the supporters of the Show, from near and far, without whom reaching our 80^th Show, a significant milestone, could not have been possible.

Chairman John Stanley thanked all the sponsors for their continued support. He said the Prize Fund for this Show will exceed €10,000. It will feature 19 Horse classes, including three ISA Qualifiers: The 3 Year Old Filly All Ireland Championship, the All Ireland Yearling Colt/Gelding Championship and an All-Ireland Ridden Small Hunter Championship. In the Pony section there are 20 Pony classes including Confined Local Working Hunter Pony (within 19 km of Belgooly). There are 6 Pony Championships: Led Pony, Ridden Pony, Working Hunter Pony, Starter Stakes, Mini and Supreme Pony. The Cattle section will feature Holstein Friesian & Jersey Dairy classes, and Beef classes including Aberdeen Angus, Belgian Blue, Hereford, Limousin and Simmental breeds. New this year is a Non-Pedigree Dairy Beef Calf class. Both Dairy and Beef classes include Young Handler Classes for 12 yrs and under and 17 years and under, along with the return of the IHFA YMA Showmanship League classes.

In the Beef this year we also have the Breeders Choice Continental 4* or 5* Breeding Heifer

Dan Kelleher (Animal Welfare Officer) with George O'Meara, John Daly & Liam Edmunds (Parking Stewards) at the Belgooly Show 2026 Launch, The Huntsman Bar, 14th May 2026. Photo Siobhán Russell

The Fun Dog Show has 14 classes including 2 ISA Qualifiers: The Goldspeed Ltd & Kilgarvan Show Munster Dog Championship (Open to all Breeds), & the Gain Pet Nutrition & Clonaslee Show Gain All-Ireland Championship.

All Dogs Welcome. Entries taken on Show-day. Details available at www.belgoolyshow.com

There are over 50 classes to suit everyone in Baking, Arts, Crafts and Photography.  

NEW THIS YEAR New in Baking: Decorated Cake to Celebrate the 80^th Belgooly Show, Decorated Carrot Cake, and Madeira Cake. New in Floral: Floral Arrangement “Let’s Celebrate”. New in Photography: Photos taken at Previous Belgooly Shows class. Three new Primary School classes: Design a Poster to Promote Recycling and Reduce Waste, Design a Card to Celebrate the 80^th Belgooly Show, and Best Dressed Soft Toy – 1940s theme.

Children and adults are sure to enjoy the day. Attractions include Irish Dancing, and prizes for the Most Suitably Dressed Lady and Bonny Baby of the Show. There will be a display of Vintage Machinery and Vintage Cars. The Mobile Pet Farm is making a welcome return, and the Mounted Pony Games are guaranteed to entertain.

10:00 am         Domestic Marquee open for admission of exhibits.

10:30 am         Judging of Pony classes.

11:00 am         Judging of Horse classes & Mounted Pony Games commence

12:00 noon      Shuttle Bus running from Belgooly Village to Show Field

12:00 noon     Judging of Domestic, Arts & Crafts, Horticulture and Art.

12:30 noon     Irish Dancing Feis - confined to local children

12:15 pm         Judging of Cattle classes

1:30 pm           Domestic Marquee opens to public.

1:30 pm           Dog Show

4:30 pm           Winners announced: Most Suitably Dressed Lady, Bonny Baby, and result of draw on Admission tickets.

4:45 pm           Domestic Marquee closes.  Return of Marquee exhibits to owners.

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