Thousands flock to annual show described as ‘jewel in town’s crown’

Very proud of their first place prize for Best Cross Breed Ewe with Two Lambs at Lurgan Show were thirteen year old Nathan Hylands and his sister Caylan aged six from Donaghacloney. INLM23-424

Organised by the Lurgan and District Horse Society, the one-day event attracted thousands of visitors from throughout the country.

The Mayor, Councillor Carla Lockhart - who described the show as the ‘Jewel in Lurgan’s Crown’ - arrived in a horse-drawn carriage and was joined by other invited guests, including MEP Diane Dodds, Upper Bann MP David Simpson, local MLAs Sammy Gardiner, Joanne Dobson and Sidney Anderson. The politicians were joined by John Bamber, president of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society and Ulster Farmers’ Union president Harry Sinclair.

There was a packed programme of events throughout the day, with increased entries in the equine, cattle, sheep, goat and poultry classes. The birds of prey, pet show, fun fair and magic show proved popular attractions with younger visitors, while the home industries, rural crafts and vintage vehicle display also attracted a lot of spectators.

“It was a fantastic show,” said society secretary Michele Doran. “We pulled out all the stops for last year’s 100th anniversary, and I am pleased to report that this year’s event is certainly on a par, if not better than last year’s centenary show. We’ve had a couple of showers, but on the whole the weather has been pleasant and everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves.”

Toast of the cattle section was the twenty-one-month-old Charolais heifer Kilbride Farm Gail, exhibited by the sister and brother team of Louise and Mark Breen, who had made the trip from Augher in County Tyrone. She claimed the breed championship, the interbreed beef honours, and the supreme champion of champions title.

Bred by the Robson family from Doagh, County Antrim, this eye-catching Doonally New daughter was purchased at the NI Charolais Club’s March show and sale at Dungannon, as a foundation female for the Breen family’s newly established Ballygreenan Herd.

Runner-up was the Holstein and interbreed dairy champion Glasson Outside J Kitty VG86, a home-bred second calver from the herd of Philip Haffey, and son Simon, from Portadown, County Armagh. She calved ten weeks ago and is producing 52 kilos of milk per day.

The Haffey duo also scooped the reserve interbreed dairy honours with the home-bred Glasson Shottle Martina VG89.