BEST OF ‘BLAYNEY BACK ON SHOW!

Castleblayney Agricultural Show made a triumphant return after its two-year pandemic-enforced hiatus on Bank Holiday Monday last. Our photograph by Rory Gary shows the winners of the Pedigree Pair title at the show with their owners Simone McCabe and Niall Maguire from Castleblayney, cattle judge Basil Bothwell, Director-General of the IFA Damien McDonald and Jim Harrison, National Secretary of the Irish Shows Association.

The high-level presence of national farming and show circuit executives underscored the importance of the occasion as a signifier of the return of a vital barometer of the health of the agricultural sector and the rural economy in general. Castleblayney Show Chairman David Montgomery declared the occasion a success despite the inclement turn of weather for the afternoon portion of the programme.

He paid tribute to those who had ensured a large and high quality entry in the various competitive classes and acknowledged the concerted community effort which had ensured a triumphant return to the Irish show calendar for an event that, although now in its 65th year, proved itself once again to be a vital and ever-progressive summer attraction in the north-east region. See inside for full coverage.