Bellurgan Park all set to open its gates this Sunday for the 2026 Dundalk Show
The Agricultural Show season is well underway with Bellurgan Park set to open its gates for the 2026 Dundalk Show which takes place this Sunday 14 June
The grounds are set up, the entries are in and hopefully the weather will be kind this Sunday 14 June, as Bellurgan Park prepares to open its gates for the 2026 Dundalk Show.
The Agricultural Show season is well underway and Dundalk Show has something to suit everyone with the Committee extending a huge welcome to all.
Over the years, Dundalk Show has endeavoured to be a shop window for all that is produced locally while keeping traditions alive and bridging the urban rural divide. Winning rosettes at Dundalk Show certainly adds value as livestock exhibitors will testify.
As always there are many competitions and classes at the Show. Children and Youth are catered for with classes in Art and Crafts, Writing and Language, Gardening, Baking/Cookery and LEGO.
Adult competitions include Home Industries which incorporate Art, Crafts, Needlework, Baking, Preserves and Photography. The Home Industries section also incorporates I.C.A competitions. The Horticulture section covers Plants and Vegetables and there is also Floral Art.
Equine competitions include classes for Riding Horses and Ponies, In Hand Showing and new this year are classes for Working Hunters.
The Cattle classes cover all the main continental breeds as well as commercial and Highland cattle and there are Young Handler classes and a Qualifier.
The Sheep section has many of the regular breeds being exhibited but also some All Ireland Finals in Suffolk, Dassenkop, Blue Texel, Cheviot, Crossbred Mule and North East Championships in Texel and Lleyn. The Sheep section also includes a class for Young Handlers.
There is the Poultry section which will have classes for hard and soft feathered birds, rare breeds, bantams and eggs.
The ever popular Dog section has classes for Pedigree, Rescue, Gun/Working, Veteran, Family, Traditional, Best Groomed and Puppies. There is also the All Ireland Irish Native Breed Dog Championship Qualifier.
Adults and children get to dress up on the day. There are Best Dressed Lady and Gent competitions and babies and children can enter classes such as Floral & Nature Fantasy, Fairy Tale Farming, Wild West, Princess Farmers, Superhero Farmers, Vintage County Style, Family-Super Siblings, Family-Mini Me & Me and Fabulous Family.
Competitions may be a huge part of the show but there are plenty of other attractions. There are many trade stands, farm machinery, local artisan food and plenty of free entertainment for children such as funfair rides.
Fred the Party Professor and his Circus Tent, Lislin Miniatures and a strong focus on Farm Safety with Agri-Kids.
Dundalk Show said it is delighted to welcome the Irish Patchwork Society who will have a fabulous display and Dundalk Wool Circle who are affiliated to the Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.
There will also be a Chainsaw Wood Carver at work and when the hunger pangs strike, there is the fabulous Food Village.
There will be plenty of live entertainment with music provided by the Ardee Concert Band, Dundalk Ukulele Strummers and Mna Mna.
A jiving competition takes place in the afternoon with music by Tumbleweed.
As there is always the anticipation that a sporting fixture could impact on the show, the Louth/Armagh game will also be shown on a big screen near the main stage.
The gates to Bellurgan Park open to the general public at 9am on Sunday. Entries in the Children, Youth, Home Industries and Horticulture classes must be on the Show grounds before 12noon on Saturday June 13th for judging that afternoon.
Admission is €15 and children under 16 go free. There is also free parking.
There will be a traffic management system in place for entering and exiting the Show grounds and Dundalk Show Committee appeasl to those attending to please follow the instructions from stewards in the interests of safety.
The committee says it looks forward to seeing everyone this Sunday in the very picturesque Bellurgan Park and wishes all exhibitors a very successful day.