Newry Show: Return after four-year absence proves to be a real winner at new home in Bessbrook
A combination of tremendous crowds and weather greeted the return of Newry Agricultural Show, after a four-year absence.
Last held in 2019, the 2023 version of the event has a brand new home on the outskirts of Bessbrook.
And given the success of the weekend’s festivities, it would seem obvious to suggest that here it should stay.
All the members of Newry Agricultural Show Society are indebted to the Cartmill family for providing this year’s site at, what was, very short notice.
Another factor that made a real difference in getting this year’s show off the ground was the tremendous support offered by Newry and Mourne District Council. Again, this commitment must be fully recognised.
There was a tremendous cattle entry for the show.
The beef inter-breed championship was won by C & R Muholland, from Aghalee, with their very fancy Limousin heifer Deerpark Shakira.
Inter-breed judge, Martin Kirk, described his champion as a tremendous example of the Limousin breed.
“She has everything: great length, style and truly excellent hindquarters,” he said.
Shakira is a daughter of the elite Limousin sire, Wilodge Vantastic. She had previously won the beef inter-breed championship at Armagh while also taking home the Limousin championship at Lurgan Show. This followed a good outing at Balmoral 2023.
Mr Kirk added: “The overall quality of the cattle taking part in the show was excellent. All of this bodes well for the future of the beef industry in this part of the world.”
The dairy cow championship was won by a Holstein heifer in milk from the Bannwater herd of Andrew and Cameron Magowan.
Bannwater Undenied Sheba calved for the first time three months ago and looked an absolute picture in the ring.
Sired by the elite black and white bull, Our-Favourite Undenied, she is currently giving 40 litres of milk per day.
The show rings at Newry also saw a tremendously strong final class unfold to determine the outcome of the sheep inter-breed championship.
The accolade went to a truly eye-catching Charollais ewe, owned and bred by Diane Christie, from Comber in Co Down. She was shown in the ring by Trevor Bell.
The ewe in question lambed for the first time earlier this year. But make, no mistake, this lady has a real pedigree and a show record to back all of this up.
Mr Bell explained: “The ewe won the Northern Ireland Shows Association championship last year. She came through lambing well and is having another tremendous show season in 2023.”
Eamonn Convery, from Plumbridge in Co Tyrone, judged the sheep classes at Newry.
He referred to his champion as an excellent example of the Charollais breed, adding: “She had tremendous in the ring and immense breed character. The quality of the sheep taking part in all the classes was excellent throughout the day.
“But it was impossible to overlook the real class of the Charollais ewe when it came to the final shake-up.”