MUCH has changed in the world since the first Belgooly Show was suggested in 1941 by Mrs Marigold Slowcock and Mr John Dix, however the same community spirit and volunteer ethos was present at the 80th Show on Saturday.

ISA President Freda Kinnarney and Deputy County Mayor Cllr Ian Doyle were in attendance with Cllr Doyle reminiscing about his first time at Belgooly Show many years ago when he helped set up the jumps.

With almost 800 exhibits in the domestic marquee, it was tough work for the judges to reach their decisions. The Best Baking award went to Rachel Palmer from Ballygarvan while Grace Copithorne from Kinsale won the Best Individual Craft Exhibit. Best Floral Arrangement went to Esther Ross from Carrigaline.

Best Scarecrow competition was won by Fr James McSweeney from Carrigaline & Tracton Parish while Aoife Dopson from Gael Scoil Chionn tSaile won the Best Teddy award.

The high quality of the horses, ponies and cattle entries provided great displays for onlookers. In the cattle section, it was fantastic to see such an increase in young handler classes both in beef and dairy demonstrating the bright future in animal showing.

In the dairy section, the Hynes family had a very successful day when they won both the Best Friesian Heifer and Champion Maiden Heifer awards with Rathard Legit Sparkle and also claimed the Best Friesian Heifer Calf award with Rathard Haniko Aria. Rickey Barrett, Ballinhassig also had a very successful day winning the Best Friesian Cow award with Laurelelm Apple Daffodil who then went on to win the Supreme Champion Dairy animal.

In the beef section, Tim O’Donovan, Dunmanway swept the boards winning the Champion Beef Calf as well as the Dan Joe O’Regan Cup for Supreme Champion Beef Animal.

In the Horse section, for the second year in a row, Patrick O’Sullivan (Leap) took home the Champion Brood Mare award – this time with Valleyview Annie.

Tadhg and Daniel Lyons, competing in the Young Handler classes.

Niamh O’Carroll from Skibbereen onboard Leaca Re Contessa won the highly-coveted Champion Hunter award while Lindsay Lythgoe from Kinsale took home the O’Brien Saddlery Cup for Working Hunter Horse.

John Dineen, Bantry, had a very successful day when he won the Champion Young Horse and then went on to win the pinnacle award in the Horse section - the George Good Memorial Cup for Supreme Horse Champion.

In the Pony section, Sarah Nyhan from Riverstick won the Champion Starter Stakes with Master Valentine while Annie O’Halloran from Glenbrook was deservedly awarded the Mini Pony Championship with Fieldens Chrys-O-Lite.

John Crowley, Clonakilty had a very successful day with Febi winning the Champion Led Pony award and then going on to win the Ireland Waste Water Cup for Supreme Pony Champion.

Shilo, exhibited by Julie Cowhig of Carrigaline was definitely the star of the Dog Show winning both the Best Groomed award and also Best In Show. Shane Lucey, Mallow, with his dog Oakley took home the Mary O’Brien Shield for Reserve Best in Show.

At the Irish Dancing Feis, the Best Dancer award went to Ciara Murray from Belgooly. Sophia Dwyer, Belgooly, was awarded Bonny Baby of the Show and on a day that provided all weather conditions, Yvonne Coleman, Belgooly was judged the winner of Most Suitably Dressed Lady.

Show chairman John Stanley thanked all the volunteers who helped it reach its milestone 80th outing.

Mr Stanley thanked Irish Shows Association President Freda Kinnarney along with ISA Board Members who took time to meet with exhibitors and present awards throughout the day. The ongoing support and backing of the ISA is much appreciated and helps all their shows continue to do their very best.

The committee thanks all sponsors, subscribers, volunteers, exhibitors and community without whose efforts the legacy of Belgooly & District Agricultural Show as first imagined in 1941 could not continue.

– Gertrude Ahern and Paul O’Regan