FLYING alpacas, cooking demonstrations, vintage car displays and prizes for the best tie and hat are just a few reasons why the uniquely wonderful Clarecastle Show is worth the trip for all the family.
It’s 10 years since the first Clarecastle Show was held and in that short decade, minus the infamous Covid years and 2025, the Banner County event has quickly built up a well-earned reputation as a unique event.
Show chairman Michael Slattery’s pride in the Banner County is seen in heritage-stamped classes.
A huge broodmare and foal championship carries both the Banner name and a €21,000 prizefund package; classes take place in Ardagh, Brian Boru, Banner and Shannon-branded showrings – even the dog show section is named after Cú Chulainn.
Back this year on Saturday, July 18, number plates from far-flung counties will be seen on the cars, jeeps and lorries of showmen from around Ireland as they pull into the show field at Clare- mount.
Watch out for the great character David Hanrahan at the gate, who welcomes arrivals with a cheerful greeting and often wearing an eye-catching hat. With the World Cup final on the following day, possibly a football theme this year?
At the business end in the horse rings, the big class this year is the Banner Breeders championship when mares and their foals will be on parade for the richest class of its kind in the country. €21,000 to be precise, between prize money and bonuses, such as stallion nominations.
There’s the Brian Boru Young Horse Championship, when again, the pride of their breeders and owners will be judged to decided the overall title. Watch out too for an exact replica of the Brian Boru sword which makes an appearance at the prize giving.
The growing Connemara Pony section features classes for “the most popular pony in the world” so spectators will see our beautiful native ponies on show. Alongside Clarecastle’s horse and pony classes, there’s plenty of family entertainment. The Flying Alpacas were part of Clarecastle Show’s award-winning entry in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ennis last March and four of this famous Peruvian breed will touch down in Claremount on show day. A selfie with Tom ‘An Gobha King’, the Blacksmith from the Boyne Valley – think Game of Thrones meets Irish mythological figure – is now a Clarecastle tradition.
Two new additions on the show field this year are copper jewellery demonstrations by Guy Urbin and cookery demos by Danny Lynch. Danny is the wellknown chef at Le Chéile in Barefield, a famous stopping-off point.
Two debonair showgoers will each pick up €100 for the best tie and hat spotted on show day and allow ample time to browse the 20 trade stands, electronic train and vintage car displays.
Local schoolchildren are putting the finishing touches to their pictures, all on display in Clarecastle National School Hall, where the Indoor Exhibition entries will also be on show.
A three-time Show of the Year award winner in the Farmers Journal horse section pages, Clarecastle is a unique event, headed up by its chairman, whose motto is to display the best and reward the breeders in the Irish sport horse industry, a dynamic committee and secretary in Nichola Shannon. Come along and see for yourself on show day.
