Mullingar Show marking half century at Culleen Showgrounds

It’s a rich and storied history that celebrates the links between the urban and rural communities and this year Mullingar Agricultural Show celebrates its 50th anniversary of shows at the Culleen Showgrounds.

Organised by the committee of the Westmeath Show Society Limited, the annual event is one of the premier agricultural gatherings in the midlands, attracting exhibitors, competitors and spectators from across Ireland.

With origins dating back to the Westmeath Horticultural Society, founded in 1834 by local landlords such as the Marquis of Westmeath and Sir Richard Levinge, the 2026 Mullingar Agricultural Show is set to welcome thousands of visitors to Culleen on Sunday July 12.

This promises to be another memorable celebration of Irish farming, rural traditions and community spirit. Originally held at the Newbrook site during the era of the old Mullingar Racecourse, the event moved to the showgrounds at Culleen in 1976.

The chair of this year’s committee, Chris Dolan, is more aware than most of the background of the event: “My father, Joe Dolan, was one of the founding members of it when it was revived, maybe 60 years ago,” he said.

“We have that long standing involvement with the show. My mother was also active in the show. She was treasurer for a while and was always interested in organising the dog show.”

Since those early days the organisers have run the annual gathering as a registered charity and the work of the volunteers has been vital: “At that time, a couple of farmers and business people got together and decided to revive an agricultural show in Mullingar.

“They didn’t have the premises to run it. At first they rented the racecourse and it seemed to grow and grow.”

Fifty years ago, the committee purchased a 50-acre property on the Castlepollard Road, making Mullingar one of only four shows in Ireland to own its own venue.

That initiative generated continuing interest in the show: “At the time, there were around six of them involved in buying it. They offered a shareholder agreement to people.

“There were around 200 shares. That got a lot of people involved and also created a bit of momentum to grow the show.”

Over the years, the show has continued to grow: “I remember going out there as a nipper with dad. I would have enjoyed running around the place and seeing all the work going on. The work and commitment those people put into it down the years was unreal and all on a voluntary basis.

“So when they came home from their jobs they would head out there every evening and start setting up for the show, clean up the place, get tables and chairs in, set up the rings, get up the signs and flags.

“There was a great atmosphere out there. The men working out in the field and the ladies were in the sheds getting indoor events ready. There were great ladies bringing out sandwiches and tea in the evening to look after the workers.

“It was just an all-round great atmosphere.”

Chris recalls memories of the early days in Cullion: “There was a local businessman, Owen McHugh was his name, who had a shop where McDonald’s is now. He was a big businessman at the time, him and Oliver Buckley, both were very much involved in the show.

“As a young lad, we used to look forward to him coming out. He would come out with a boot full of soft drinks, he’d have 7-Up and Club Orange. All the young people would look forward to him coming out to get your can of Club Orange.”

Chris says the excitement of the past continues till today: “It was an enjoyable build-up to the show, there was a great crew involved, you enjoyed the crack out there getting ready and it still stands to that today, there is still a great atmosphere out there.

“To be honest, when the show is over, I always feel that the summer is gone then. It’s just because there is such a build-up. There is such a great atmosphere and a bit of crack getting ready for the show. When it’s over, we give out about the amount of time and effort it takes, but we actually miss it.”

The community ethos has continued to be the driving force for the annual gathering: “We are not providing a show to make money, we’re actually providing a show to entertain people on a Sunday and to allow people gain qualification for other shows. It’s an outlet for people who enjoy the competition aspect of showing.

That showing can be fruit and veg or animals that they’re breeding during the year.”

The 2026 show will feature an extensive programme of livestock competitions, with pedigree and commercial cattle, sheep, horses and ponies taking centre stage. Show-jumping, a long-standing highlight of the event, is expected to attract strong entries, while dog enthusiasts will also enjoy a busy schedule of classes and competitions.

“There is a lot of interest in the animal showing classes,” Chris says.

“We have good entries already coming in on our cattle section – our sheep section is unreal. The sheep section has grown and grown and grown, with loads of different breeds coming.

The cattle section, as usual, is still popular.

“We have a huge facility out in Cullion, with the garden walls to hold the cattle section. We have sheep shearing, we have a dog show, we also have a kiddies play area out there, which is one of a few new changes this year.

“There’s loads there for everyone to see.”

The appeal of The Mullingar Agricultural Show for the population of the county town is unique: “Many of them don’t get to see large animals every day. For the kids of the town today, some of them don’t get access to agriculture the way they might like.

This is an ideal opportunity to come out and see calves or lambs or sheep or even the dogs, in one place on the day.”

Beyond the livestock rings, visitors can explore a wide range of indoor exhibitions showcasing horticulture, cookery, arts, crafts and photography. These popular competitions continue to celebrate the talents of local communities while preserving traditional country skills for future generations.

Chris says the event offers a broad appeal: “Entertainment is at the heart of the Show. There is good music and food. People come with indoor stands selling honey, showing off arts and crafts like necklaces and bracelets. We have a sheep shearing competition where shearers come from all over the country to show how quickly and cleanly they can shear a sheep within a limited time. There’s something in it for everybody.

“Gerry Guthrie is playing with us this year. We also have the Mullingar Town Band coming. We have Irish dancers coming, who will be performing a Riverdance inspired piece. That’s to name but a few, there’s a couple of others.

“We have an official opening by Foster and Allen this year. Foster and Allen are celebrating 50 years in the music industry and we are celebrating 50 years of being in Cullion showgrounds, on that premises.”

A bustling trade stand area will offer everything from farming machinery and rural services to artisan foods, clothing and home products, providing opportunities for local businesses to connect with both farming families and the wider public. Live entertainment and family-friendly attractions throughout the day will ensure there is something to suit all ages.

“It’s very different to what it originally started out as,” Chris says. “I remember, there used to be a lot of car stands. You had nearly all the garages and out with a huge array of cars. There used to be machinery people coming out with tractor stands as well.

“Funny enough that died off a bit. We do get local agricultural dealers selling tractors and machinery. They come and show their wares every year. There’s a good few trade stands trying to get in to sell clothing.

“Sweets are a big thing, a lot of sweet stands come and sell different types of sweets. We have people coming out there to sell wood pellet stoves. We have a crowd coming to do woodturning and wood carving features.”

This show event received €10,000 in government funding as part of a nationwide initiative supporting 126 agricultural shows. The investment recognises the important role these events play in promoting agriculture, strengthening rural economies and bringing communities together.

Chris concluded by thanking the people working behind the scenes to make the 2026 show the biggest one to set down a marker for the next 50 years at Culleen: “I’d like to give a big thank-you to everyone that comes to the show and also a huge thank-you, from the bottom of my heart, from all the supporters and the helpers that help pull the show together.

“There’s people out there that commit their time, and sponsors who commit money, without whom we wouldn’t have a show. It’s not a money making exercise, but it’s just to provide a bit of entertainment in the middle of summer on a nice day, and I’d like to keep it alive. I don’t want to see it dying.”

With a blend of traditional competitions, modern agricultural displays and family entertainment, the 2026 Mullingar Agricultural Show is expected to once again highlight the best of Irish farming while offering an enjoyable day out for visitors from both rural and urban communities.

Organisers encourage attendees to arrive early on Sunday July 12 to enjoy a day of activities and competitions.