Increased entries as sun shines on highly successful Antrim Show
Thousands of visitors flocked to the picturesque Shane’s Castle Estate on the shores of Lough Neagh for Antrim Show, one of Northern Ireland’s premier agricultural events.
Blessed with favourable weather, the show attracted excellent crowds who enjoyed a packed programme of livestock competitions, family entertainment, local food and home industries.
Show chairman Rosemary McAllister and secretary Kelly McConnell hailed the event as a tremendous success, highlighting the continued growth in entries and strong public support.
This year’s show saw an impressive increase in livestock participation, with more than 600 cattle and over 1,000 sheep entries, showcasing some of the highest-quality livestock from across Northern Ireland.
The standard of competition reflected the strength and resilience of the local agricultural industry and drew exhibitors from across the province.
Among the special guests attending were Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim David McCorkell, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Henry Cushinan, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Alison Bennington, who met exhibitors, sponsors and visitors while taking in the wide range of attractions on offer.
County Antrim Young Farmers’ Club competitions proved hugely popular, alongside the ever-entertaining final of the YFCU’s Build-It Competition, which showcased the ingenuity, practical skills and teamwork of Northern Ireland’s young farmers.
One of the biggest crowd-pullers was the Deerpark Engineering World’s Strongest Farmer competition, where competitors demonstrated remarkable strength and determination in front of enthusiastic spectators.
The heavy horse display also attracted considerable interest, celebrating the power and heritage of these magnificent animals.
Families had no shortage of activities to enjoy, with Kidz Farm, the interactive Exploris Aquarium Touch Tank, amusements, vintage vehicles, showjumping and sheep shearing competitions. Live music from the Rock Choir and Paddy Tracey, ensured there was something to entertain visitors of every age.
The Home Industries section continued to be a popular attraction, displaying an outstanding range of baking, crafts, preserves, photography and floral exhibits, and highlighting the talent and creativity found throughout the local community.
Meanwhile, the bustling Food Marquee was filled with artisan producers showcasing the very best of Northern Ireland’s food and drink. Celebrity chef Jenny Bristow delighted audiences with an engaging cookery demonstration, while the entertaining ‘Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook’ competition saw social media personalities David Irwin of Redhouse Holsteins and Andrew Wright from Farm Theory battle it out in a fun-filled culinary challenge.
Perhaps the liveliest event inside the marquee came when South Antrim MP Robin Swann and Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart swapped politics for frying pans in a live cook-off, preparing the ultimate Ulster Fry.
The light-hearted cookery contest generated plenty of laughter from the capacity audience and added another memorable moment to an already
successful day.
Carla Lockhart MP was visiting Antrim Show for the first time. “I was delighted to be invited and the warm welcome and hospitality has been excellent. Congratulations to the show on an exceptional event, which demonstrated the important role agricultural shows play in celebrating farming, rural life and Northern Ireland’s rich agricultural heritage.”
Toast of the cattle section was the young Limousin cow, Rathkeeland Tendresse shown with her heifer calf Rathkeeland Blossom.
The home-bred cow from Herbie and Stephen Crawford’s herd at Maguiresbridge has chalked up seven supreme interbreed championships
on the show circuit this year.
Runner-up in the interbreed beef line-up was the Hereford champion, Richmount 1 Cracker Corleone, bred and exhibited by Bradley Graham, Portadown.
There were double celebrations in the dairy section when the Henry family from North Antrim won the interbreed dairy honours with the six-year-old Holstein cow Dunray Casper Blackie, owned with the Allen family from County Monaghan.
Later in the day Tommy and Mark Henry’s 200-cow herd clinched the prestigious NISA and Thompsons Dairy Cow of the Year award with the home-bred Mostragee Vinny Lauren 3.
This second calver is producing 56 litres of milk daily and was described by judge Mark Logan as a “phenomenal Holstein cow with great dairy strength and quality”.
Stuart and Nyree Baxter won the reserve dairy interbreed honours with their Ayrshire champion, Carnell Barby Doll 13 EX92.
Claiming top honours in the hugely contested sheep section was the Texel champion, a gimmer exhibited by Alastair and Jack Gault, Newtownabbey. Standing in reserve place was the Bluefaced Leicester breed champion, a gimmer from Graham and Julie Loughrey’s 30-ewe pedigree flock at Limavady.