What to expect at this year’s Show

THE Kilgarvan Show is pleased to announce that this year’s show will be opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, and he is said to be looking forward to visiting Kerry and meeting the spectators and competitors. Sponsorship also plays a major part of the show and the committee are again very thankful to the many sponsors that contribute, some of whom have supported the show since 1984, and especially the main sponsor, Eileen Murphy O’Shea of Kenmare Puppy Parlor.

The show will open on Friday July 29 with a fancy dress parade starting at 7:30pm and all children are welcome to take part. On Saturday 30, all art, craft, horticultural and baking exhibits will be taken in the marquee between 6:30pm and 9:00pm for inspection. While Sunday will also see a children’s Open Feis, for all age groups and children from all parts of the county are welcome to take part in this event with some fantastic prizes on offer. And if dancing is not your thing, know that children’s sports competitions will run throughout the day.

The judging of the Dairy and Beef Section also takes place on Sunday July 31 with many different classes from Friesians, Shorthorn, Jersey, Semmental to name but a few and these categories are on-going to help increase standards and entries. The highlight of the day will be the judging of the best beef animal and the winner of the ‘Denis Healy ‘Denisheen’ Perpetual Trophy.

The Sheep section also takes place on Sunday with classes being judged from Suffolk, Texel, Scotch, Cheviot and the Kerry Pedigree Suffolk Breeders Club Championship and a large number of entries are expected again this year - the highlight of which will be the Kilgarvan Show Non Pedigree All Ireland Suffolk Aged Ram Championship. New classes of Poultry have also been added to this year’s section which proved a massive hit last year.

There really is something for everyone at the show, including sumptuous baking and preserves with many different classes to suit all baking enthusiasts from Soda Bread, Brown and White Bread, Sponge Cake, Scones, Porter Cakes, Tarts, Cheesecake and Queen Cakes. There will be Adult Art, Crafts and Needlework, a Decorative Horticulture Section with homegrown fruit and vegetables on display, trade stands, best dressed lady and granny, sheaf tossing. A major dog show, a baby show…you name it the show will have it. Children’s Amusements will also be a big draw on the day and they will be half price from 11:30am to 1:30pm. And later on Sunday evening entertainment will be provided by Seamus Healy of ‘The Trashing Mill Boys” and don’t even think of going home early as a dance floor has been arranged for you to dance the evening away.

Chloe O’Sullivan, Kenmare with her dog Blackie who won a prize in the Best Child Handler Dog Class at last year’s Kilgarvan Show. Photo: Lisa O’Shea.