Fermanagh Show celebrates 180 years

Mr Des Kelly of Cavanaghkelly Accountants, guest speaker, spoke on the 17th World Hereford Conference 2016 Montevideo, Uruguay where the genetic basis of the Uruguayan beef cattle industry is Hereford, being the largest Hereford purebred herd in the world with over six million head.

This says something for the Hereford breed which continues to produce premium beef in Northern Ireland. Fermanagh County Show is the final showcase for food and agriculture in Northern Ireland as the show season comes to an end.

The Danske Bank Artisan Food Hall will be opened on Tuesday, August 2 while Wednesday, August 3 focuses on top quality livestock classes and championships across all breeds. New sponsors introduced this year; Drumlin Veterinary, Enviro Care Ni Ltd, G T Exhausts Ni Ltd, J F Irvine’s Sawmills Ltd, Rodney Noble Contracts Wood Chipping, O’Doherty Fine Meats, Donegal Rapeseed Oil and Coole Swan, with 100 sponsors on board for an even better show.

The 2016 judging panel consists of 43 ladies from England, Scotland, South of Ireland, Sweden and nearer to home arriving to adjudicate the 5,800 exhibits in 800 classes. Not to be missed.

NI Simmentals Finals: The NI Danske Bank Male and Female Competition and the Ivomec Super Pair of the Year sponsored by Merial Animal Health.

Hosting the National Hereford Show is an important part of the event roll out; the committee were joined by Mr John Gill, Hereford Club chairman, to promote the National Show. Organisers are expecting a big show of Herefords with many new exhibitors.

The organisers of the Fermanagh Show are indebted to Vaughan Trust for their financial support across all areas with a new concept this year Fermanagh Pedigree Livestock Breeders section have additional funding; to support Fermanagh Club members who show cattle breed average and above. The sheep section is well supported by a raft of generous sponsors including Vaughan Trust in the confined classes with special bonuses in Young handlers sections.

The show is grateful for the support of all the NI cattle and sheep clubs and their societies who play a vital role in various ways to keep this show on the road.

The new pygmy goat section is sponsored by Fermanagh Herald.

The poultry proves a great crowd puller with a fine show of birds expected. Mr and Mrs Brian King, Ballymena presented the Laymore Trophy for the exhibitor with the most points.

Jollyes Pet Food Superstores sponsor the popular Dog Show on Tuesday evening with entries on field at 6pm.

l ISA qualifiers for the following championship:

l All Ireland Gain Dog

l All Ireland Gun Dog

l All Ireland Traditional Craft

l All Ireland Christmas Baking

l All Ireland Fleetwood Amateur Painting

l All Ireland Male Bantam Chick

l All Ireland Female Bantam Chick

NI Finals

l NI Danske Bank Simmental Male and Female of the Year

l NI Simmental Ivomec Super Pairs of the Year

l NISA/Linden Foods Beef Heifer

l Blonde Herd of the Year

l National Hereford Show

The vintage section features agricultural implements on display from Danny’s Mill Florencecourt. Thanks to the family for allowing the committee to showcase a selection on 3rd August. Mr George Elliott Letterbreen kindly donated a cup for the vintage competition. Best turned out tractor over forty years wins this new trophy.

Over 3,500 schools exhibits have een lovingly produced by local school children with fierce competition in the school section, by the artists and designers of the future.

Vaughan Trust sponsored the School Art Competition for the best design to be used on the Catalogue cover the Finalists: Hannah Dunn, Ben Woods, Hugo McChesney, Oliver Khew, Amos Johnston and Ella McCusker. The overall winner is Hannah Dunn Brookeborough.

Trade space is at a premium with 200 spaces almost full; visit Fermanagh Show to see the excellent range of high tech machinery, products and services available. The very best companies are trading in the west at the two day show. The trade stand competition indoor and outdoor is sponsored by Bank of Ireland Enniskillen.

The Artisan Foodhall sponsored by Danske Bank also features the Best Food Stand competition sponsored by Killyhevlin Hotel.

This year Fermanagh Show has added another marquee housing the popular cookery demonstrations. The chef of the day is Stephen McFarland who has worked alongside Neven Maguire and Gordon Ramsey, sponsored by Coole Swan, O’Dohertys Fine Meats Donegal Rapeseed Oil.

Additional demonstrations by City Cheese, Pat O’Doherty, Barry John Sausages, and Lough Erne Cakes.

There are many reasons why you should visit Fermanagh County Show; see the high quality pedigree cattle perform, to enter the new Lily and Hydrangea classes whatever your reason; please join the show for their two day showcase of food and farming.

It is a great day out for families with under sixteen’s free and a park and ride free shuttle bus to the gate.

A Landlords Legacy a publication by S B Morrow charts the history since 1836 and copies will be available at the show.

The designated charity of the year is Enniskillen Lifeboats

A handy guide will take showgoers through the show with a timetable of what’s on. Watch the press for further details.

Free shuttle bus service and pre show tickets at £7 available in local outlets: Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, NFU, Dowlers Garden World, Erne Veterinary Group, Tom Read Menswear, Fermanagh Cottage Industries, Cathcart’s Pharmacy Derrygonnelly, Lisbellaw Medical Hall.

Further information: Schedules and trade applications are available online and entries close on 13th July.

Telephone: Ann Orr 02866 322509 - or download from www.fermanaghcountyshow.com. Extended closing date for entries 15th July for the show on 2nd and 3rd August so please download a schedule and entry form.