Showcasing country life
Your event guide to the 80th Virginia Agricultural Show this Wednesday, August 23...
STAR ATTRACTION
The Diageo Baileys Champion Cow is back as the show’s centerpiece and celebrates its 40th year running this high-profile competition. Known as the ‘all-Ireland for dairy cows,’ entrants will be battling it out for a share of the €13,000 prize fund.
Show secretary Yvonne Kilkenny says there’s a lot at stake for the farmers: "A win in the show ring at ‘The Baileys’ is the ultimate form of promotion for their herd and there’s huge pride in representing their county. Winning or even doing well in ‘The Baileys’ is a great accolade for any Holstein Friesian breeder to achieve. Competition is intense and the overall title will only be won by a great cow."
The competition will be judged by Mark Logan, manager of the well-known Clandeboyne Estate, in his first judging role at an Irish Show. Mark hales from outside Bangor, Co Down, where he runs an impressive pedigree herd. No stranger to the Diageo Baileys Champion Cow, Mark won reserve champion in 2008. The winning cow will have traits such as balance, dairy strength, quality through udder and great lactation.
CLASS HIGHLIGHTS
The other classes include a range of competitions across different sectors
These include:
- Carnaross Mart All Ireland Male & Female Weanling Championship
- Liffey Meats Champion Beef Bullock
- Fleetwood Paints Amateur Art Competion
- Univet Ireland Ltd &Virginia Show Commercial Heifer
- Champion Tirlán Virginia Friesian In Calf Heifer
- Lakeland Dairy Champion of the Show
- McEvoys SuperValu ICA Guild Skills of the Year
- Riverfront Bar & Grill Summer Desserts Competition
- North Eastern Limousin Club Calf Finals
- AW Ennis Interbreed Champion
- Grow its Mega Moo Championship
- Quality Onion All Ireland Final
QUALIFIERS
- All Ireland Dinkey Mare and Foal Championship
- Gain Dog Food All Ireland Championship
- All Ireland Native Breed Dog Championship
- All Ireland Soft Feather: Heavy Breeding Pair Chickens champion
- All Ireland True & Rare Bantem Breeding Pair Chicken champion
WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
New to the show this year is the Women In Agriculture Conference where the topic of discussion is 'Women in Agriculture: Finding the Balance in a New Agricultural Environment'. It will feature three speakers who are: Dr. Monica Gorman, Associate Professor of Agricultural Extension and Innovation, University College Dublin, who will give a talk entitled 'The role for farm women in shaping the new agricultural environment'; Dr Marion Beecher BAgrSc PhD, Teagasc Research Officer, Moorepark, who will give a talk on 'Managing your day: Improving labour efficiency and time management to achieve a better work life balance'; while Ms Barbara Bray MBE FIFST, Nutritionist and food safety consultant, will discuss 'The role for developing safe, nutritious, and sustainable diets to support positive aging'.
HIGHLIGHTS
Other highlights include :
· Dog show
· Sheep racing
· Geese herding
· Birds of prey
· Sheep shearing
· Farm safety simulator
· History of 80 years of Virginia Show display
· Ballymacad Hunt Trials
· YouTube hit Adrian from I farm We Farm
· Children’s entertainment
· The brilliant gig rig
· Fashion show
· Crafts of Ireland Sandra Coote wool demonstration
· Ukrainian exhibition of crafts
HEALTH CHECKS
As well as trade stands in health and nutrition, crafts, food hall, automotive/cars, amusements, animal feeds, and renewable energy.
There will also be health check stalls from the Alzheimer’s Association, Red Cross who will give free blood pressure checks and blood tests as well as the Irish Heart Foundation
WHAT'S COOKING?
Celebrity chef cook demo
For families in search of an end-of-summer day out the popular artisan stalls will be selling locally produced crafts and food; children’s amusements; trade stands; floral & baking displays; fashion and cookery demonstrations and an art exhibition will offer something for all ages. Cavan-born celebrity chef Adrian, owner of Wildflower Restaurant in Dublin, will demonstrate his fine culinary skills at this year’s cookery demonstration.
If that’s not enough, expect birds of prey, dogs doing tricks, ponies prancing, sheep shearing and sheep racing plus all manner of satisfying hot and cold delights to purchase throughout the show.
FIVE FUN THINGS TO DO
1. Take a selfie at the gig rig with live outdoor music.
2. Pick your favourite to win ‘the Baileys’ in the Baileys Cow Hotel
3. Share a coffee with friends at one of the many eateries
4. Visit the Baileys Cow Hall of Fame in the Glanbia marquee
5. Spot the most appropriately dressed person competition winner
6. Enjoy the latest trends at our hugely popular fashion show
PARKING
Parking is free and ample parking is available coming from all roads where stewards are plentiful in their famous white coats to direct cars and answer any questions.
TICKETS
Tickets are available to purchase online via the show website, www.virginiashow.com with an early bird €5 discount on the ticket price. Family tickets are also available on https://www.virginiashow.com/