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Autism friendly Show 2026
Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show are delighted to announce that The Senco Sensory Express Bus will be on site at our show on June 28h. It comes fully equipped with essential sensory experiences such as bubble tubes, sensory grass flooring, UV area, tactile features and is wheelchair accessible. A lovely calming, relaxing space for all.
*****Don't forget to collect your Golden Pass to skip all queues at food stalls and children's entertainment !!*****
Available at the secretary's tent
SJI Grassroots League
South Leinster SJI Committee 2026 Grassroots League
The South Leinster SJI Committee , supported by the Leinster Committee, is delighted to announce the continuation of the 2026 SJI Grassroots League .An fantastic initiative aimed at offering young equestrians the unique opportunity to jump on grass. It is hoped to support traditional grass shows and ensure their longevity going forward.
The league will be run in conjunction with five of the region’s most popular shows. The participating shows are:
- Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show - June 28th
- Inistioge Show – July 11th
- Castlegannon Show – July 26th
- Iverk Show – August 22rd
- Dunnamaggin Show – September League Final
The first leg of the league will kick off at Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show on June 28th, with the grand final taking place at Dunnamaggin in September. To qualify for the exciting prize fund in the final, competitors must attend at least two legs of the league in addition to the final. A Leading Pony/Rider combination will be awarded for the highest accumulated points throughout the league.
For further details check out SJI or contact Rory O’Sullivan-Hennessy +353 86 845 1035.โโโโ
• Newcomers 60cm (_open to 128 & 138 ponies: eligibility for prizes in the final restricted to riders who have not competed at 90cm and above_)
• โ Newcomers 70cm (_open to 128 & 138 ponies: eligibility for prizes in the final restricted to riders who have not competed at 90cm and above_)
• โ 128 80 *NEW for 2026*
• โ 128 90
• โ 138 80
• โ 138 90
• โ 138 1m
• โ 148 80 *NEW for 2026*
• โ 148 90
• โ 148 1m
Rosette for Best Turned Out in each class at each Qualifier.
Minister Dara Calleary Announces Over โฌ1 Million in Funding for Agricultural Shows in 2026
The Irish Shows Association (ISA) has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Rural and Community Development agus an Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, confirming funding of over €1 million to support agricultural shows taking place across the country in 2026.
The funding will support 126 agricultural shows nationwide, recognising the vital role these events play in rural communities and in showcasing Ireland’s agricultural excellence, local food producers and rural enterprises.
Announcing the funding during a virtual address at the launch of the Irish Shows Association 2026 Yearbook in Athlone, Minister Calleary highlighted the importance of agricultural shows to Ireland’s rural calendar.
“Agricultural shows are a fabulous platform to showcase our wonderful Irish agricultural produce and prowess. They provide an opportunity for friendly competition, but I’m always struck by the pedigree and the quality of everything that is on display at the shows, particularly livestock and produce,” said Minister Calleary.
The Minister also emphasised the wider social and economic benefits of agricultural shows, noting that they provide an important marketplace for local producers and start-up businesses while contributing significantly to local economies.
The funding forms part of the Department of Rural and Community Development’s ongoing collaboration with the Irish Shows Association. With this year’s allocation, total Government support for agricultural shows since 2017 now exceeds €6.3 million.
Agricultural shows remain a cornerstone of rural life in Ireland, bringing together farming families, exhibitors, local businesses and communities each year. Many shows now run over a weekend or multiple days and feature a wide range of competitions, entertainment and family activities alongside traditional livestock and produce classes.
Breeding Grant Initiative
๐พ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐
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๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐.
This grant is under National Breeding Services with thanks to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and delivered by Horse Sport Ireland’.
4 Yr Old Ridden Hunter- ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ณ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ €๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐. ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ณ๐
Best 3 Yr Old - ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ณ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ €๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐. ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ณ๐
Breeder of the highest placed TIH in the Open Working Hunter (1m-1.10m)- ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ณ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ €๐๐๐
Entries open June 1st-closing June 23rd
Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show โ Launch Night 2025
Celebrations all around as Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show announce their 30th show which will be held on June 29th this year. This autism-friendly show aims to be welcoming for all, with the presence of the Senco Bus helping to ensure a fun-filled and inclusive family day out. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Homecare Team and other local charities .
Minister Calleary announces โฌ1 million investment for Agricultural Shows for 2025
2025 Funding Announcement - Press Release
The Irish Shows Association was thrilled to welcome Minister Dara Calleary to officially launch our 2025 yearbook in Athlone on Saturday 8th March 2025.
At the launch, the Minister took the opportunity to announce a funding package of €1 million for our Agricultural Shows across the Republic of Ireland again in 2025. This funding has been such a boost to our shows in recent years, allowing our member shows to develop and grow, as well as investing in future-proofing and safety standards. On behalf of all our member shows, we wish to thank the Minister and The Department of Rural and Community Development for this expression of confidence in our organistaion and what we stand for. Shows are part of the beating heart of rural Ireland and long may that continue.
โฌ20,000 Raised By Small Rural Show
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฉ ๐๐จ ๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐๐ค๐ช๐ฉ....
Recently we held our annual donations night where we are proud to confirm we donated €๐๐,๐๐๐ to various worthy charities: Carlow/Kilkenny Home Care Team, Castlecomer Day Care Centre, Cois Nore, Cancer Trials Ireland , Gavin Glynn Foundation, Coon Senior Citizens, Ballyfoyle Senior Citizens, Ballyfoyle Community Hall Restoration Fund, Mother of Fair Love National School, Muckalee Ladies Football Club and Protecting Dog Pounds Ltd
๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐- ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐mount ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐.
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ข๐ญ: https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/.../pictures-ballyfoyle...
Plans are already in motion for 2025 improvements- looking forward to welcoming you on ๐บ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐ฑ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
Photo credit: Harry Reid Photography
That's A Wrap For 2024
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The committee are only starting to recover!!! For a show that is still in its infancy, the turnout across all aspects of the show from competitors, volunteers & spectators was off the scales!!! The committee is overwhelmed by the response and feedback we have received since.
The Grand Prix was won by Jack Ryan on Cornascriebe Emerald with a hoof-perfect round. It was terrific to see the showjumping classes to be so strongly supported. The showing section wiped last years entries, with competitors traveling from all across Ireland taking part. Despite the unintended late finish, the showing section culminated in a superb Supreme Championship won by Emma Walsh & her connemara, Skellorn Superted.
This year’s new addition was the sheep section. Which was a really successful stepping stone into broading our agricultural show.
Ideas are already flowing for developments & improvements for 2025.
A special thanks to our generous and very patient landowners- the Harper Family. A spectacular venue and superb ground conditions.
๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ & ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐. ๐พ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐- ๐บ๐๐๐ ๐๐ 29๐๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐ 2025
Photo credit: John O'Carroll Photography