11 May 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
For more than 200 years the Munster Agricultural Society has showcased
the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with
agriculture to the people of Munster at the Cork Summer Show. This
year, Ireland’s longest running agri-show will showcase the evolution
of our agricultural heritage with an incredible line up of
entertainment for all ages on 20 and 21 June at the Showgrounds in
Curraheen, Cork.
Featuring livestock shows, sheep shearing, show-jumping and vintage
tractor displays as well as farm to fork artisan food markets, craft
beer stalls, musical entertainment, home & garden show, petting farm
and dog shows, the Cork Summer Show will run over two days and
promises a great festival atmosphere.
The 100-acre site will be home to more than 1,700 animals including
700 horses, 120 sheep, 80 goats, 100 poultry and 400 cattle. There
will also be more than 300 dogs competing across 9 categories in the
pet and pedigree dog shows.
Chairman of the Munster Agriculture Society, Gerard Murphy said:
“Agriculture is an important, vibrant sector in Ireland. For more than
two centuries, the Munster Agricultural Society has been at the heart
of rural life and this year we will continue that tradition by
bringing to life the work practices and produce of our farmers.
The 2015 Cork Summer Show has a spectacular line up of events and
entertainment for all the family and it is guaranteed to be a special
and uniquely Irish two day festival.”
The musical line-up includes performances from Crystal Swing,
Voiceworks live featuring Keith Hanley & Pat Fitz of The Voice of
Ireland, The Ceili Allstars, Stevie G’s Soul Jamz, The Cork Butter
Exchange Band, The Papa Zita’s, Cork Community Gospel Choir and much
more.
More than 70 food producers from across the county will be exhibiting
and selling at the farm to fork artisan food markets on site over the
two days, making it the largest artisan country market in Cork County.
There will also be a large craft beer tent to sample the brewing
delights of the region.
This year, the All Ireland Angus Beef competition will take place at
the Cork Summer Show with entrants from all over the country. There
will be displays of thrashing, horseshoe making in the farrier’s tent,
and a large petting farm area with all sorts of farm and other animals
and birds.
Free parking will be available for visitors at Curraheen showgrounds
on both days. Tickets can be booked online at www.corksummershow.com,
with free tickets for all children under 12 years.
