Humanoid robot will be one of the stars of Bonniconlon Show

More than 30,000 visitors are expected to gather in Bonniconlon this Bank Holiday Monday for the 75th annual Agricultural Show, with organisers preparing for what promises to be the biggest event in the show’s history.

Following Mayo’s long-awaited All-Ireland victory, organisers made a last-minute appeal for entries after admitting attention had understandably turned towards Sam Maguire celebrations.

The response was immediate, with more than 800 entrants now expected to compete across hundreds of classes, the highest number ever recorded at the show.

With Mayo’s newest piece of silverware continuing its tour of the county, organisers are hoping Sam Maguire might make a stop in Bonniconlon this Bank Holiday Monday.

Cllr John O’Hara, Chairman of the Bonniconlon Show, said the Sam Maguire Cup has been invited to attend. If Sam does make the trip, it will share the spotlight with a very different kind of star, as Delta Robots, a humanoid robot with a Guinness World Record to its name, is due to make an appearance.

The robot, known as A2, walked 106.286km from Suzhou to Shanghai non-stop over three days. Powered by AI navigation, LAR sensing and GPS-level precision, the humanoid completed the 100km journey by itself.

Its visit to Bonniconlon will mark the first time A2 has set foot in Ireland, giving visitors the opportunity to meet the robot, take photographs, and see firsthand some of the latest developments in robotics and artificial intelligence.

“He will be going around shaking hands and talking to people,” John said. “We were looking for something adventurous to bring in for people. It’s never been in Ireland before, and there is also a little dog robot that goes around as well.” 

John said the surge in entries had helped make this year’s event the biggest in the show’s long history, with the organising team working late into Monday evening and Tuesday morning to process the volume of applications.

He thanked those involved behind the scenes and everyone who entered competitions this year.

“There will be more to see than ever before,” he said. “Lots of people have entered, and everyone is in good humour after winning the All-Ireland too.” 

The Bonniconlon Show has grown over the last seven decades into one of the biggest agricultural shows in the country, with a prize fund of up to €60,000 on offer this year.

It is a celebration of rural life in Mayo, bringing together agriculture, entertainment, competitions and community spirit.

“It’s all our exhibitors, there's so much hype. The competition is high,” John said. “There’s classes for everything, we have up on 800 to 900 classes - anything you name it, we have it.” 

Beyond the competitions and livestock displays, organisers say the show’s biggest attraction is that there is something for everyone.

Visitors can enjoy farm produce, horse jumping, trade stands, a vintage show, live music, cookery demonstrations, and the Rose of the Show competition.

At its core, the Bonniconlon Show is a family event, with plenty to see and do to make it a memorable Bank Holiday day out for all ages.

“If you come here, there is something for everyone, there is lots for the children. There is an interest for everything, there’s music there from Mike Denver and Michael English, and Declan Nerney for the showdance that night,” John said.

“People come because there is something for everyone, whether you’re from the town or the country, there is a form of entertainment.” 

With Mayo still enjoying the celebrations of an historic All-Ireland win, organisers believe this year’s Bonniconlon Show offers another chance for people across the county to come together.

Whether returning visitors or those attending for the first time, organisers say the 75th event promises to be one of the biggest celebrations in the show’s history.

“People will not go home disappointed - at any one time in the showgrounds there’s about 20 different things going on. If you came to Bonniconlon one year, you haven’t seen it all,” John said.

There is free parking at the showgrounds, with a park-and-ride service operating from St Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina every hour from 9am, for €5 per ticket.

Entry is €15 per person, and children go free.