COMMUNITY SPIRIT SHINES BRIGHT AT BELGOOLY & DISTRICT 80TH AGRICULTURAL SHOW

By Gertrude Ahern & Paul O’Regan

A lot has changed in the world since the first Belgooly Show was suggested in 1941 by Mrs Marigold Slowcock and Mr John Dix, however the same community spirit and volunteer ethos was present when we celebrated the 80^th Show on Saturday last 30^th May.  The typical Irish summer weather did not deter the crowds from attending creating a great atmosphere on the day.  

We were delighted to have ISA President Freda Kinnarney and Deputy County Mayor Cllr Ian Doyle in attendance to help us celebrate our milestone Show.  Cllr Doyle reminisced of his first time at Belgooly Show many years ago when he helped set up the jumps for Show Jumping classes.

In the Domestic marquee, run by secretaries Sheila Foott-Kelleher, Ann Coleman & Angela Foley, the impressive display showcased the range of skill, craft and imagination in the community. 

From excellent skill in paintings, needlework and crafts, to the floral scent from the flower classes to the mouth-watering baking, it was indeed an impressive sight.  With almost 800 exhibits, it was tough work for the judges to reach their decisions.  The Best Baking award went to Rachel Palmer from Ballygarvan with her mouth-watering carrot cake while Grace Copithorne from Kinsale won the Best Individual Craft Exhibit.  Best Floral Arrangement went to Esther Ross from Carrigaline with her spectacular interpretation of the class to celebrate the 80^th Belgooly Show. 

One of the most entertaining classes in the Domestic tent is now the Best Scarecrow competition which was won by Fr James McSweeney from Carrigaline & Tracton Parish while Aoife Dopson from Gael Scoil Chionn tSaile won the Best Teddy award. Additional classes were introduced around the 80^th Anniversary theme from cakes celebrating 80 years, to anniversary cards and photos of previous shows.

The high quality of the horses, ponies and cattle entries provided great displays for onlookers. The preparation needed by the animal owners to compete at the Show is immense and it is very much appreciated the efforts they go to in order to take part.

In the Cattle Section, it was fantastic to see such an increase in Young Handler classes both in Beef and Dairy demonstrating the bright future in animal showing.  In the Dairy section, the Hynes family from Aherla, Co. Cork had a very successful day when they won both the Best Friesian Heifer and Champion Maiden Heifer awards with Rathard Legit Sparkle and also claimed the Best Friesian Heifer Calf award with Rathard Haniko Aria.  Rickey Barrett, Ballinhassig also had a very successful day winning the Best Friesian Cow award with Laurelelm Apple Daffodil who then went on to win the Supreme Champion Dairy animal.

In the Beef section, Tim O’Donovan, Dunmanway swept the board winning the Champion Beef Calf as well as the Dan Joe O’Regan Cup for Supreme Champion Beef Animal.

In the Horse section, for the second year in a row, Patrick O’Sullivan (Leap) took home the Champion Brood Mare award – this time with Valleyview Annie.

Niamh O’Carroll from Skibbereen onboard Leaca Re Contessa won the highly coveted Champion Hunter award while Lindsay Lythgoe from Kinsale took home the O’Brien Saddlery Cup for Working Hunter Horse.

John Dineen, Bantry, had a very successful day when he won the Champion Young Horse and then went on to win the pinnacle award in the Horse section - the George Good Memorial Cup for Supreme Horse Champion.

In the Pony section, Emma Walsh from Co. Tipperary made it two in a row with Emloughmore Maestro when they took home the Champion Ridden Pony award.  Sarah Nyhan from Riverstick won the Champion Starter Stakes with Master Valentine while Annie O’Halloran from Glenbrook was deservedly awarded the Mini Pony Championship with Fieldens Chrys-O-Lite.

The Cecil Gash Cup for Champion Working Hunter Pony was returned to the family when it was won for the second year in a row by his cousin - Samantha Hickey, Minane Bridge on Charlie’s Freedom.

John Crowley, Clonakilty had a very successful day with Febi winning the Champion Led Pony award and then going on to win the Ireland Waste Water Cup for Supreme Pony Champion.

The Mounted Pony Games again proved to be an exciting spectacle as the riders and their ponies demonstrated great skill and accuracy during the exhilarating competitions held throughout the day.

The popular Fun Dog Show with classes for dogs of every shape and size attracted great numbers of entries.  Shilo, exhibited by Julie Cowhig of Carrigaline was definitely the star of the day winning both the Best Groomed Award and also the highly coveted Best In Show.  Shane Lucey, Mallow, with his dog Oakley took home the Mary O’Brien Shield for Reserve Best in Show.

At the Irish Dancing Feis, the Best Dancer award went to Ciara Murray from Belgooly. Spectators were treated to great dancing competition from all ages and were also delighted to get a demonstration from the dancers to some traditional Irish songs.  The young dancers were delighted to receive their medals from Deputy Mayor of Cork County Cllr Ian Doyle and we very much appreciate his time to do this.

Sophia Dwyer, Belgooly, was awarded Bonny Baby of the Show and on a day that provided all weather conditions, Yvonne Coleman, Belgooly was judged the winner of Most Suitably Dressed Lady. To celebrate our 80^th Show, an additional award for Most Suitably Dressed Gent was awarded to Nick Seal from Co Tipperary.

To celebrate our 80^th Show an exhibition of the history of the Show was on display organised by Show Officer Mary O’Regan. A display of news articles, information and photos from over the last 80 years as well as a video reel displaying a multitude of photos proved fascinating to all who viewed it.

The free attractions included a mobile pet farm & poultry display, Lego club, Balloon maker and Face painter. The martial arts group of both adults and children from Kuk Sool Won Cork demonstrated great skill for the crowd. We were delighted to have the Agri Kids Farm Safety Roadshow in attendance providing free safety information and entertainment to all attendees. There was an impressive display of vintage cars, tractors and machinery with the highlight being a steam engine with refurbished Cork County Council wagon. 

The large number of volunteers in the Tea Tent provided delicious refreshments to all the stewards, judges, and show-goers alike. For many this is more than just a catering marquee, it is a warm welcome and a chance to chat with familiar faces that may only meet at this annual event. This year there were some entertaining stories of attending shows gone by from journeys to the Show in the 1960’s to first jobs given to the children.

Sarah O'Brien & her Lego Display: 80th Belgooly Party, alongside her mum Bernadette Ahern, sister Aoife O'Brien, cousin Niamh McCarthy & Aunt Eilis Ahern, Belgooly, at the 80th Belgooly Show, 30th May 2026. Photo Siobhán Russell

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 helped the Show reach this amazing milestone of its 80th Show.  This work and commitment to promoting and showcasing the best of livestock and domestic skills cannot be underestimated.  The support given by the whole community in the days leading up to the Show as well as on the day itself is hugely appreciated as the Show could not go on without this help. It was heartening to see the army of volunteers – including some new faces, assembling in the Show field to help with the setup on the evenings before Show Day.  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 the warm welcome they have given to the Show and for their field that serves as an ideal venue for the Show.  The Chairman also thanked the Department of Rural & Community Development for the generous grants funding package they have made available through the Irish Shows Association. It is invaluable for all Agricultural Shows.

Mr Stanley thanked Irish Shows Association President Freda Kinnarney along with ISA Board Members who took time to meet with exhibitors and present awards throughout the day.   The ongoing support and backing of the ISA is much appreciated and helps all their Shows continue to do their very best.

We thank all our sponsors, subscribers, volunteers, exhibitors and community for your contributions to the Show. Without your efforts we could not continue the legacy of Belgooly & District Agricultural Show as first imagined in 1941.