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

 ******Exciting News******

Why not try out the simulator at Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show courtesy  of RACE?

You could be the next Rachel Blackmore or Davy Russell!!

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 28^th
• Inistioge Show – July 11^th
• Castlegannon Show – July 26th
• Iverk Show – August 22^rd
• 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.​​​​

• Newcomers 60cm (_open to 128 & 138 ponies: eligibility for prizes in the final restricted to riders who have not competed at 90cm and above_)

• ⁠Newcomers 70cm (_open to 128 & 138 ponies: eligibility for prizes in the final restricted to riders who have not competed at 90cm and above_)

• ⁠128 80 *NEW for 2026*

• ⁠128 90

• ⁠138 80

• ⁠138 90

• ⁠138 1m

• ⁠148 80 *NEW for 2026*

• ⁠148 90

• ⁠148 1m

 Rosette for Best Turned Out in each class at each Qualifier.

Schedule of Events

Schedule of events coming soon for our fun filled show on June 28th 2026.

The ultimate day out for all with competitions for the whole family to get involved in.

Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show announce a jam packed schedule for 2026!

THE IRISH SHOWS ASSOCIATION PRESENT
THE ALL-IRELAND Junior YOUNG SHEPHERD/SHEPHERDESS CHAMPIONSHIP
8-11 YEARS OLD
Sponsored by: FBD Insurance & Irish Farmers Journal

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.

𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑰𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝟑 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓'𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘.

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- 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝 €𝟕𝟎𝟎 𝐢𝐧𝐜. 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞

Best 3 Yr Old - 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝 €𝟕𝟎𝟎 𝐢𝐧𝐜. 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞

Breeder of the highest placed TIH in the Open Working Hunter (1m-1.10m)- 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝 €𝟏𝟎𝟎

Entries open June 1st-closing June 23rd

Celebrations all around as Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show announce their 30^th show which will be held on June 29^th 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 .

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.

𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩....

Recently we held our annual donations night where we are proud to confirm we donated €𝟐𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 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

𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒔, 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔, 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔, 𝒋𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒔, 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒔, 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔- 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒂mount 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭: https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/.../pictures-ballyfoyle...

Plans are already in motion for 2025 improvements- looking forward to welcoming you on 𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒆 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Photo credit: Harry Reid Photography

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐘!!!!

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.

𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒓, 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒐𝒓, 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓, 𝒋𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒆, 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓 & 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚. 𝑾𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓- 𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒚 29𝒕𝒉 𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒆 2025

Photo credit: John O'Carroll Photography