It's show time for Skibbereen once again

THE countdown is on for this year's action packed Carbery Show which takes place in Skibbereen on Thursday next, July 20th. 

From prestigious animal competitions and qualifiers; craft displays; children's events and a Best Dressed  ladies and gents competition it has something for serious agri enthusiasts as well as those looking for a fun day out. 

Long running and popular events include the Foal Championships, which have taken place for the past 11 years (prize money sponsored by Ardtech Industries, Drimoleague),  the Cork County Yearling Gelding and Filly Championship in its 31st (sponsored by AIB Skibbereen) and the  Cork County Beef Bull Championship in its 30th year (sponsored by Bank of Ireland, Skibbereen). Qualifiers for these finals have been selected at all the other Cork County Shows. Another long running event is the Irish Draught Mare & Foal Class in its 23rd year. The Hayes Family, formerly from Kilnahera, Drimoleague, sponsor the trophy for this class, and Donal Casey of Bantry Tyre Centre sponsors the prize money along with the one and two year-old Gelding/Filly class.

Carbery Show also stages the following qualifiers:  Kildysart Two Year Old Filly Championship; Moat Show A. Browne Filly Foal Championship; Mountbellew Traditional Irish Sport Foal Championship; Bonniconlon Irish Draught Three Year Old R.I.D. Mare Championship; Ballinasloe Irish Draught Colt Foal and Filly Foal Championships; Bantry Irish Draught Foal Munster Championship; and finally the All Ireland Donkey Mare Championship final at Ballinasloe Show.

This year's show also features a Carriage Driving Competition, which includes classes for Open Driving, for the John O'Sullivan Memorial Cup and Intermediate Driving Class for the Patrick Barry Waterfall Memorial Cup.

Bakers are encouraged to enter home produce while the indoor will include flower displays and flower arranging classes, a photography section along with craft and cookery classes. 

Young show goers will be well looked after with ridden and led pony classes, a junior cattle section, junior horticulture classes, junior crafts, and junior cookery classes. 

There's also a fun “Bring your Scarecrow to the Show” competition open to adults and juniors with plenty of anticipation around what will turn up on the day. 

A mobile pet farm and shows by the Wexford Theater Company throughout the day will also keep youngsters entertained.  

Fashionistas will be vying for Best Dressed Lady and Gent on show day with all the stops pulled out to impress judges. The ladies competition is sponsored by Fiona's Boutique, Ashlings Hair Studio and The Beauty Spot, Skibbereen. 

The gents competition is sponsored by Sean Murray's Mens Wear, Eddie Ring, Gents Barbers and Drinagh Pharmacy Skibbereen.

West Carbery Hunt will be putting on a display of their hounds during the afternoon in what is a popular event with show goers; with the non-pedigree show also set to be a crowd puller. Also on the programme are qualifiers for The Puppy Parlour Kenmare Munster Dog Championship for Small and Large Dogs, and for the Gain Food All Ireland Championship, for Small and Large Dogs, final to be held at Clonaslee Show, and the Ballinrobe All Ireland Irish Native Breed Championship.

Outside of all of that there will be the trade stands displaying all the usual fare while the Ladies' Committee will operate their successful restaurant.

• See carberyshow.ie for more information on events and sponsors.