Record crowds attend brilliant Enniscrone Show

It may have lasted just one day, but behind the scenes of this year's Enniscrone & District Agricultural & Industrial Show was a year's worth of planning, months of preparation, and it took the effort of a community determined to showcase rural life at its very best.

Held last weekend at the Castleconnor Sports Complex, this year's show attracted its biggest crowd yet, with visitors travelling from across the North West, even from across the Atlantic to attend.

Public Relations Officer Ashling Connor said there was one moment during the official opening that brought the meaning of the show together for her.

"There was so much preparation put into the day, next thing it was the official opening, and I was standing on stage. I remember turning around, looking out and seeing rows of people. It actually nearly brought a tear to my eye because I thought, 'Okay, today is happening, it's all worked out.'

"It's hard to understand what goes on behind the scenes in the lead-up to these shows, and just how many people are involved in that."

From live music performances and the annual jiving competition to livestock classes, vintage displays, food producers, local craft and trade stalls, family entertainment and a dedicated Sensory Marquee, this year's show offered something for everyone.

A major addition to the show this year was the Big Top Tent, a covered stage and dancefloor that offered a space to enjoy live music and dancing throughout the day, ensuring the west's famously unpredictable weather wouldn't spoil the celebrations.

“The Big Top was a huge success,” Ashling said. “It was wedged from the minute the music started at 11am until Derek Ryan finished up at 5pm. "The weather was great, the entertainment was brilliant, and everyone that came through the gates was delighted. The feedback we have received so far has been so positive," she added.

Ashling, who has been involved with the show's committee since 2018, said this year's attendance was the biggest the event has seen.

"There were some relatives visiting home from Boston, and they actually came home because of the Enniscrone Show,” she said. “People came from all over Mayo, Sligo, and I know of people who came from Galway. The Connacht region was definitely well supported.

"It's rural Ireland at its best," she added. "It's a brilliant day out for all the family, we pride ourselves on that.” 

Agricultural shows remain an important part of the social calendar in rural Ireland, bringing communities together while celebrating local traditions, craftsmanship, and farming techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation.

But as Ashling points out, the sense of community behind events like the Enniscrone Show begins long before the gates open.

Planning for the event is a year-round commitment, and preparations for the 2027 show are already underway.

"We had the music planned for next year before this year's show," she laughed.

In the weeks leading up to the event, volunteers spend hours preparing the grounds, setting up staging, and organising everything that is needed to bring the show together.

Once the crowds have gone home, volunteers return to pack everything away and clean up the grounds.

"The community of Castleconnor are outstanding. I'm not sure I know of a community quite like it," Ashling said. "We easily had 150 stewards on the day.

"It's not only the support from the volunteers, but from families and partners who let us go out and put this event on for the community."

She also acknowledged the support shown between agricultural shows throughout the country.

"It was lovely to see people from other shows attending ours. It's great to have that support, and we'll be doing the same for them.” 

Beyond being a celebration of rural life, the show also provides a boost for the local economy, with local traders, food vendors and businesses benefiting from thousands of visitors coming through the gates.

"We try to support as many local people and local businesses as possible. We hope that we have a positive impact on their business as much as they have a massive impact on us,” Ashling said.

One of the moments that stayed with Ashling was seeing families enjoying the traditional crafts on display and watching young people take part in the event themselves, including members of Castleconnor Foróige, who were running their own stand.

"It's something I hope they will remember forever. Hopefully they'll come back and do that every year."

Ashling acknowledged the many people whose support helped make this year's show possible.

She thanked Minister Dara Calleary for officially opening the event and recognised the continued backing given to agricultural shows through funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, which allows events like the Enniscrone Show to keep growing.

She paid tribute to the show's committee, including chairperson Gerry Curley, secretaries Tomás Gilmartin and Deirdre Curran, treasurer Sinead Cuffe, and the hundreds of volunteers whose work behind the scenes to make the event possible.

For anyone who has yet to experience the Enniscrone Show, Ashling’s message was simple - they’re missing out.

“Our show is growing, it is getting bigger every year. There is something lovely about our show. It's the community aspect, it's got a real wholesome country feel to it,” she said.

“It’s something lovely to be involved in, I'm originally from Castleconnor, and it's lovely to have this in our hometown.” 

The Enniscrone Show will return on Sunday, July 4, 2027. Updates and information on next year's event will be shared on the show's social media channels.