Thousands expected at 106th Claremorris Show

Thousands of visitors from Mayo, Galway and beyond are expected to converge on Claremorris this Sunday for the 106th Claremorris Agricultural Show, one of the longest-running and most popular events on the west of Ireland's agricultural and community calendar.

The official opening will take place at 2pm at the Showgrounds, and will be performed by former Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte.

Born in nearby Woodstock, Ballindine, Pat attended St Colman's College, Claremorris before becoming involved in student politics, serving as President of the Union of Students in Ireland from 1972 to 1974. He later became National Secretary of the ITGWU before entering national politics. He served as Labour Party TD for Dublin South West from 1989 until 2016 and was Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources between 2011 and 2014.

The show programme once again offers something for all ages, with more than 250 competitive classes covering cattle, sheep, horses, poultry, vintage machinery, horticulture, cookery, crafts and home industries. Several Irish Shows Association All-Ireland qualifiers will also take place throughout the day.

One of the most popular attractions each year is the dog show, which gets underway at 1.30pm in the main arena. Nineteen classes will be judged before the overall champion is crowned. The exhibition hall will again feature a wide range of commercial displays, demonstrations and local enterprises, while families can enjoy a variety of entertainment throughout the grounds.

Corrib Oil returns as the show's main sponsor for a fifth consecutive year. The Claremorris-founded company has worked closely with the show committee in recent years as attendances have continued to grow.

Music will feature prominently throughout the afternoon on two stages. Sponsored by the Hession family of Willie McBride's Irish Pub and Restaurant in Hoboken, New Jersey, Stage One opens at 12.30pm with Paul O'Connor before performances by the Turley-Duggan School of Irish Dancing. Local entertainer David Connor and his band will perform from 3.00pm until 5.30pm, with dancing, jiving and waltzing competitions also taking place.

Stage Two will feature traditional music from Gráinne and Friends between 2.00pm and 3.00pm before local singer Cathal Owens performs from 3.00pm until 5.00pm.

This year's show also includes the return of several popular attractions together with some new additions.

The Show Day raffle has been enhanced with the introduction of a special Golden Ticket prize. The winner will receive free admission together with complimentary lunch for four people at Claremorris Show every year for the next ten years.

Following the success of last year's online photography competition, Virtual Class 501 returns with two separate categories. The Landscape section continues from last year, while a new category entitled Capture the Moment invites entrants to submit unusual or memorable photographs captured on their mobile phones.

Motorcycle display rider Evan Mullarkey of the Irish Freestyle Display Team Motocross Ireland will once again perform his spectacular freestyle demonstrations during the afternoon.

The committee will also remember two people who made significant contributions to the show over many decades.

Tributes have been paid to the late Pat Lavelle, Ballinasmalla, who passed away recently in Boston at the age of 91. Pat emigrated to the United States many years ago but, together with his late wife Ellen, remained closely associated with Claremorris Show, returning home regularly during the summer and becoming familiar faces at the annual event.

The committee is also remembering former chairman Paul Hanley, whose recent passing has been deeply felt throughout the community. Paul served the show in many capacities over the years and played a leading role in bringing television star James Drury, better known as The Virginian, to officially open the 90th Claremorris Show in 2008, an occasion that attracted one of the largest crowds in the event's history.

The Claremorris Show has been held at its present venue since 1960. During the past 15 years, the site has undergone extensive redevelopment by Claremorris Athletics and Sports Club Ltd under the direction of Jim Ryan. The modern sports hall will once again be transformed into a large indoor exhibition centre for Show Day.

Each year the show committee works alongside the venue owners to continue improving the facilities, benefiting not only the annual show but also the many sporting and community groups who use the complex throughout the year. Recent road improvements by Mayo County Council have further enhanced access and safety for visitors travelling to the venue. While extensive parking will be available near the showgrounds, visitors are encouraged to use the free shuttle bus service, which has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Operating from 10am, the buses will run continuously between Claremorris Town Square, the Railway Station car park and the showgrounds throughout the day, making it easy for visitors to travel to and from the venue. The committee is also encouraging visitors from Ballyhaunis, Castlebar, Westport, Ballina and other towns along the rail line to travel by train before transferring to the shuttle bus.

The committee has expressed its appreciation to the many businesses, organisations and volunteers whose support has made this year's event possible. Alongside the continued backing of Corrib Oil, the show has received sponsorship from a wide range of local and regional businesses, including many new supporters who have come on board for the first time this year.