Athlone Agri Show set to be ‘bigger and better’ this weekend

One of the most eagerly anticipated events in the Midlands farming calendar is the annual Athlone Agri Show, which takes place this year on the farm on Michael O'Donohoe in Garnafailagh on Sunday next, June 18.

With a new committee in place, this year's event promises to be bigger and better than ever with some amazing new features such as Best Dressed Lady, the return of cattle classes and also a return of poulty and eggs.

At a very well-attended launch in the Bounty last week, Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Aengus O'Rourke, spoke of how honoured he was to be asked to officially launch the 2023 Athlone Agri Show and added that he always loves attending the annual show.

He praised the show committee for their “hard work and dedication” and expressed the hope that the weather would stay dry for the event, which was a sentiment also echoed by show chairman and local Fine Gael Cllr, John Dolan.

In welcoming the large crowd to the launch, Cllr Dolan expressed a special word of thanks to the show sponsors for their ongoing support and said it would not be possible to host the annual show without their backing.

He also thanked Michael Donoghue for providing the land for the show and the wonderful, hardworking committee who put the show together.

One of the most interesting innovations for this year's show is the introduction of a free shuttle bus service from the Golden Island Shopping Centre to the show site, with a pick-up point at the Fair Green bus stop. The shuttle buss service will begin at 11am with the last bus back to town at 6pm and buses will run every hour on the hour.

This year also sees the return of the ever-popular cattle classes to Athlone Show for the first time since 2019 with Kepak as the main sponsor of this section.

Kepak has also come on board as the main sponsor of the sheep section, which will feature the All-Ireland Breeders Championship.

The horse section at Athlone Agri Show is always very popular and attracts a huge field of entries from across the Midlands. Such is the popularity of this section that it attracts entries from right across the Midlands and is one of the biggest equine events outside the annual Horse Show in the RDS.

This year, Athlone will be hosting five qualifiers for the Dublin Horse Show Breeders' Championship - show jumping and eventing; intermediate side saddle; ladies side saddle and racehorse to riding horse, sponsored by The Irish Racehorse Trainers Association along with many qualifiers for the ISA All Ireland Championships 2023.

Also, the Athlone Show Society present the Irish Draught Mare and Foal Breeders Championship sponsored by Pipeline, with a substantial €850 in prizemoney.

This year also sees the return of poultry and eggs to Athlone Show, with championships and supreme championships in the various categories. Among the poultry on display in the poultry marquee will be bantams; heavy and light feather fowl; waterfowl; ducks and of course a wide range of turkeys. There will also be a class for the 'Most Unusual Bird' which is one not to miss!

The dog show is usually one of the most popular aspects of Athlone Show and gives adults and children alike the opportunity to show off their four-legged friends in all their glory. There will be a number of exciting prizes in this section with the Champion Small Dog receiving the Ellen Devery Perpetual Cup.

Among the other attractions will be cookery and art competitions; a food village showcasing the best of local produce from Westmeath and across the Midlands; musical entertainment from Streetwise, featuring Mark Henshaw on banjo and mandolin, and a full line-up of entertainment to keep children entertained including Bozo the Clown and other attractions.

The Birds of Prey Show was one of the most popular elements of last year's Athlone Show, and this year will see a return of this very popular feature.

The show committee has also introduced a Best Dressed Lady competition for the first time this year, with a magnificent prize of a Wineport Lodge Voucher for the winner of what should be a very exciting and popular event.

Entry to the 2023 Athlone Agricultural Show is €15 for adults and €10 for students (with student card) and OAP's. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult and a family ticket, for two adults and up to three children under 12, is priced at €25.

Gates open to the general public on the farm of Michael Donoghue in Garnafailagh (Eircode: N37 V252) at 9.30am on Sunday next, June 18, so come along and bring the family for what promises to be a great day out for one and all.