The Mayor welcomes Balmoral show to Lisburn

“We are delighted to welcome the Balmoral Show to Lisburn City and the benefits this prestigious agricultural event will bring to the City in terms of the business and hospitality sectors and in our tourism offering. I would encourage residents to be aware that when travelling in and around the Maze area during the Balmoral Show that they avail of the latest traffic and travel advice, as the Balmoral Show has a significant long-standing following and we expect our local roads to be extremely busy. The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) will have regular traffic updates and advice has already been provided to car, rail and bus users on the busiest and less busy times expected in and around the Maze. We want our retailers, restaurants and leisure providers to benefit as much as possible during the Balmoral Show, and, the Council, with Lisburn City Centre Management has joined forces to promote some fantastic offers in our retail establishments and in our shops. Finally I would like to wish the RUAS the very best from Lisburn City Council on its first Balmoral Show in the Maze Long Kesh. We hope to build on our very positive relationship with the RUAS and to see the Balmoral Show grow further in the years to come.”

Alderman Jim Dillon, Chairman of Lisburn City Council’s Economic Development Committee. “I would first of all like to wish the Mayor, Alderman William Leathem a very successful Mayor’s Carnival Parade this Saturday May 11, which takes place the week before the Balmoral Show. Lisburn City Council hosts a number of high-profile events and following on from the Mayor’s Carnival Parade and Pipe Band Championships in Wallace Park, the much anticipated Balmoral Show is the next event on our horizon. The Tourism Section in the Council will be distributing information to visitors going to the Balmoral Show, promoting a wide variety of special offers in Lisburn over its duration: Wednesday 15 to Friday May 17.

“The City Centre is only two miles away from the Balmoral Showgrounds and we hope to help bring customers to Lisburn and to encourage visitors to the show to make their day last by availing of some Lisburn hospitality. We have built on the City’s reputation over the years and with the portfolio of events from the Ulster Grand Prix, the Half Marathon and Garden Show Ireland which takes place the weekend of 17th – 19th May also; the vote of confidence in Lisburn has been demonstrated by the RUAS. Of course every new event brings with it a degree of the unknown and I encourage visitors going to the Balmoral Show to check the traffic situation. Belfast was very busy during this period and we know Lisburn will also see many cars, lorries and buses on our roads. Lisburn City Council is providing a free shuttle minibus service to exhibitors on Monday and Tuesday 13th and 14th May to encourage those setting up for the show to travel into the City for a bite to eat during this busy time. There is a free shuttle bus service from the showgrounds to Lisburn City Centre every 10 minutes during the show’s duration which has been provided by Translink. We hope visitors will avail of this service in order to help boost our local businesses. I am really looking forward to my first ever Balmoral Show in Lisburn City. We hope for a memorable time for everyone as its gates open on Wednesday 15th May,” he concluded.

The first show at the RUAS Maze will take place from Wednesday 15th to Friday 17th May from (9.30am - 8.30pm on 15th & 16th and 9.30am - 8pm on Friday 17th May). The 2013 Balmoral Show will have everything we know and love about the show, but bigger & better!! With large crowds expected at the 145th Balmoral Show, Translink is urging visitors to plan their journey in advance and leave extra time to make onward train connections. Special transport arrangements are in place to help visitors get to and from the new show grounds at Balmoral Park situated at Maze Long Kesh, down the M1 motorway close to Lisburn. For further travel information click www.translink.co.uk/balmoralshow2013  or call 9066 6630.

The Balmoral Show is Ireland’s biggest Agricultural and Food Event and one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year. Lisburn City Council with Lisburn City Centre Management is providing promotion on many restaurant offers which will run for the duration of time of the Balmoral Show. The Council wishes to ensure that people visiting the City have the opportunity to enjoy the many tourist and leisure attractions on offer. Shopping, a visit to the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex for a swim, enjoying a relaxing meal after a busy day or going to see a movie at the Omniplex; whatever your choice is, there will be something for you and the family to enjoy. The Council will also have a dedicated stand at the Balmoral Show to promote what is going on in and around Lisburn. The popular Mayor’s Parade and Pipe Band Championships will take place on Saturday 12th May and there are other events on offer in May and leading into the summer time. There is scarcely a corner of Northern Ireland that is not represented at the Balmoral Show, thanks to the extensive involvement of community groups, schools, Women’s Institute, Young Farmers’ Club, farmers and food producers. 
There is plenty to see and do with over 600 classes of livestock, 40 of the country’s finest food producers, national and international show jumping, world–class attractions, experts in gardening, grazing and grilling, music and merriment and a shopping experience that could rival any major town not to mention a kids’ zone, petting zoo and show stage.

It is expected to be a busy time on the roads and for public transport. For advice on traffic and travel please keep in touch by checking out traffic reports on-line and follow RUAS published advice on its event. For more information why not log on to www.visitlisburn.com or call into one of our Tourist Information Centres located in Lisburn or Hillsborough, where someone will always be glad to help. Tel- Lisburn: 028 9266 0038 Hillsborough: 028 9268 9717