The Longford Agricultural Show in Ennybegs lived up to its name, being a crowded and successful event to have marked on the calendar.
With a mix of showjumping, cattle, sheep and crafts to be enjoyed, Ennybegs was a busy hotspot for the Sunday morning and afternoon. The road was closed off so that those who wanted to attend were able to park in the field, helped by the stewards.
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Throughout the field, there was an ICA cafe, which had plenty of cakes and tea for sale; multiple craft stores inside a marquee, such as Aine Art; face painting; bouncy castles; as well as multiple pop-up food stalls were all part of the event.
The children’s entertainment was free for the day, and it was apparent that many of the children took great enjoyment in the multiple bouncy castles that were offered to them.
Those in the crafts marquee included the Longford Writers Group, representatives of the Farrell Clan, a Specsavers stand, as well as various art for sale.
The weather gods shone favourably on the show, raising everyone’s spirits and the ice cream vans did brisk business as ’99s were in demand.
“It stayed dry,” said the Show’s organising committee chairperson, JJ Farrell, who also extremely busy in the cattle rings. “It meant that people showing the cattle, horses, sheep and crafts had a dry day and could enjoy themselves with the music on the field. It meant a lot.”
He considered the peak time to have been at around 2pm, factoring morning church and families getting ready to arrive. He praised how the show had plenty of attractions for people to stay for, with the “wonderful facilities” as an additional bonus.
The show had many spectacles, with a stand-out being the falconry corner near the marquees and horse shows, which had the likes of the female owl eagle. Its prominent feathers had expanded when interested in a passing spaniel, with the head of the display saying that the bird was capable of hunting. There were other eagles and birds on display, all standing on their own perches.
The animals were kept at a safe distance from the spectators with metal fencing. This applied to the sheep, as well as the rings where the cattle were being kept.
The show is one of the longest running shows in Ireland, and its chairperson, JJ Farrell, has noted that the committee starts planning one year in advance.
JJ added: “I was involved in the rings. When we finished that, to see families on the benches and enjoying themselves, with the entertainers; like Brid Shaughnessy, Seamus Farrell, Jack Keogh, Patrick Feeney – it was great for Longford.
“When you see that with our committee, you see you’ve done something for the community. Our committee is a full year organisation. We start in a week’s time all over again to plan for the 2026 Show. It’s a thing we all enjoy doing. It takes so much time, it’s all voluntary.
“I take my hat off; even those not on the committee – they all know their jobs. It takes a huge amount of work. When you see people come through that gate. It’s all voluntary.”
Ruth McNally, secretary of the committee, called the show “brilliant”. She said that the event had a record number of entries for cattle, horses, crafts, sheep and dogs, with the music also being a big hit.
“I just think it was a great success,” she said. “It was one of our most successful shows. I think it ran really smoothly. No health and safety issues, everyone had a good time.
“That was our main thing. Fair play to the Gardaí and civil defence, and our committee. Our committee is very small and do a serious amount of work.”
In relation to all the efforts done by the organisers, JJ Farrell commented:
“I would like to thank everyone for supporting the show. It’s important. Our sponsors are fantastic to stand behind us down through the years.
“Everyone with farm produce, cattle, sheep, horses–there is a lot of effort to get ready for the show. I think they all enjoyed themselves coming home.
“We’ve got a lot of comments that it’s one of the best shows in the country. We’ll be back for next year for sure. Thank you to Gerry Hagan and his family for facilitating the field. His support was fantastic.”
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With preparations already beginning for next year, the Longford Agricultural Show is certainly an event to mark into your 2026 calendar!