Drink in rural life at Virginia Show

After a three year break The Virginia Show is set to make it’s long awaited return this summer and it’s back with a bang.

When the Showground gates are pushed open this Wednesday, August 24, a total of 1,099 interminable days will have passed since the last Virginia Show back in 2019 - but sure who’s counting?

The 79th Show promises to be Ireland’s leading one-day agricultural and lifestyle showcase. Of course the Show means much more than that, it’s an anchor in the Cavan summer calendar, the last hurrah before the children go back to school. A day where people catch up with old pals and new, enjoy an ice cream and a leisurely chat, and are entertained by all that Virginia Show has to offer.

Virginia Show is a day out for everyone, the serious business of over 470 classes gets underway alongside food markets, children’s amusements, trade stands, demonstrations and the hustle and bustle of a great day out. In an Ireland of increased awareness of food traceability, Virginia Show allows you to meet the people who set the high standards of the Irish dairy, beef, and sheep industries.

Diageo Ireland and its cream supplier Glanbia Ireland are inviting Holstein Friesian breeders across the island to prepare for the return of the Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, officially launched the long-standing competition at Diageo Baileys Global Supply site in North-West of Dublin.

Entrants will be competing for a share of a €10,000 prize pot. The top place of Overall Champion attracts a €2,500 prize; followed by €1,000 and €500 for Reserve Champion and Honourable Mention respectively. Other awards will be presented on the day across several categories including Junior Cows in their second lactation. The Best Junior Cow category has prizes worth €750 in total. The popular Best-Heifer-in-Milk category carries a fund of €1,700 with 1st place worth €500. Now recognised as a measure that helps breed a more profitable dairy cow and lower GHG emissions the award for Best Economic Breeding Index recognises efficiency and sustainability. An award for Best Protein emphasises the most profitable factors for both breeding dairy herd replacements and milk production.

Robert Murphy, Head of Baileys Global Operations said, "This is just one of our collaborations with Glanbia Ireland to support farming now and for future generations. That is why, earlier this year, we joined forces to launch Ireland’s first Sustainable Farming Academy which will support farmer suppliers on their sustainability journey and encourage improvements that lead to environmental gains.”

Aoife Murphy, Director Ingredients at Glanbia Ireland said, “We look forward to welcoming previous and new entrants to County Cavan on 24th August. The event is the centrepiece of the Virginia Show. Both the competition and the show have been much missed by the local community.”

Annual cattle highlights

Glanbia Virginia, as well as being associated with the Diageo Baileys Cow, are sponsoring the €700 Friesian In-calf-Heifer. Other highlights include:

The Lakeland Dairies Champion of the Show,

The A.W. Ennis Interbreed Champion of the Show,

The Lisgrey House Restaurant Commercial Champion, and both the North Eastern Simmental and Charolais Clubs will hold their Junior Championship Finals at Virginia as well as the North Eastern Limousin Club Calf Final.

Following on from 2019’s success, is the Univet Ireland Ltd and Virginia Show Commercial Heifer Championship for all non pedigree baby beef heifers with no permanent teeth on Show Day open to continental and non continental animals.

The drawing power of Virginia Show as the number one venue for the exhibitors of top quality commercial cattle is once again borne out by the large number entering the 31st Liffey Meats €2,000 Champion Beef Bullock Competition each year.

Another competitive display of high quality animals is the competition to find the champion non-pedigree male and female weanling of the show. Sponsored by Gunne Carnaross Mart, who sales attract high quality stock from all over Ireland.

The Charolais cattle ring showcases all that is good about cattle which are praised for contributing to dairy herds across Ireland as well as a successful beef breed and Clerkins Virginia Veterinary Practice are ensuring this is recognised by sponsoring a prize fund towards the open Charolais classes. Also up for grabs is the Francie Brady Memorial Perpetual Cup and rosette presented to the champion.

There are too many livestock highlights to highlight in detail but they include:

The North Eastern Charolais Club are holding the North Eastern Charolais Club Junior Championships;

North Eastern Club Simmental Junior Championship;

Commercial champion of the Show sponsored by Lisgrey House;

A W Ennis Interbreed Champion.

Horses & Ponies

In the among the Horses & Ponies classes are Brood Mare, light and coloured horses, ridden hunter and cob, heavy horses, as well as classes for palomino horses and ponies, Welsh and Connemara as well as the miniature horses and donkeys. There are cups and trophies for many classes with a new perpetual cup in memory of Terence Dunne, former Steward of the Horse section .

Virginia Show plays host this year to qualifiers in The Traditional Irish sport Foal; The Irish Draught Filly Foal; The Connemara Three Year Old; and Donkey Mare and Foal Championship.

Other Classes

There will be strong competition for Sheep, including the Paddy Keoghan Perpetual Memorial Cup for Pedigrees and the Hugh Faulkner Cup for crossbreds as well as classes for Suffolks, Texels, Charalois, and Vendeen.

LIFESTYLE SHOWCASES

Fleetwood All-Ireland Final Art Competition

The awards at the prestigious art final sponsored by Fleetwood Paints, our local paint manufacturer are hugely sought after. This amateur arts competition depicts an agricultural or rural scene fitting for our fantastic surroundings today at the 79th Virginia Show.

Celebrating ICA

McEvoy’s Supervalu are once again sponsoring the ICA Guild Skills of the Year, focused on the theme ‘Coping with COVID’ with guilds from Monaghan, Cavan and Meath, competing for the McEvoy Crystal Bowl and €500.

Fashion Show

The fashion show is always a huge crowd puller and this year promises not to disappoint. Models will be parade down the catwalk in style so make sure to get in early and get a seat.

Chef Adrian Cookery Demo

Celebrity chef from Bawnboy, owner and Head Chef of Wildflower Restaurant in London, Chef Adrian will demonstrate his fine culinary skills at this year’s cookery event. Remaining on a culinary theme, the Riverfront Bar & Restaurant ‘Trio of Summer Desserts’ competition has qualifiers from around the region and boasts a prize fund of €400.

Sheep Shearing & Racing

This year, visitors to Virginia Show will get to see just how sheep shearing is done at a special demo by All-Ireland Sheep Shearing Champion Oliver Daly.

And if that doesn’t float your boat then you will surely be entertained by the sheep racing that will make its debut at this year’s show!

Gig Rig

A staple at Virginia Show, gather round for the music and dance where you will be entertained by a host of musicians. As well as this, artisan food markets and trade stands allow you to interact, ask questions, and discuss what you need with those involved in all sorts of production.

Dog Section

The highly entertaining Dog Agility Show will take place in the arena. Following from this, the ever popular dog show will see red rosettes distributed for:

The Gain Dog Food All Ireland Championship

The All-Ireland Gun Dog Championship

The All Ireland Native Breed Dog Champions

Children’s Classes

A new feature this year in the poetry section is Haiku, a Japanese style of poetry. The children will also have the opportunity to showcase their art and craft skills, ad of course the Birds of Prey display is always a firm favourite with all ages.

Sponsors

Credit must be given to all the sponsors, small and large, our 200 strong committee are forever grateful to our sponsors and appeal to all show visitors to shop local and keep money in our local economy and in turn, supporting local jobs and help the environment.

Show admission

This year show admission ticket can be bought online via: www.virginiashow.com

Using this facility early birds can avail of a €5 discount.