This Tipperary town will be the first outside Dublin to host Ireland’s All-Breed Cat Show

Sunday, February 18, sees the Presentation Sports Complex in Thurles welcoming Ireland’s most highly-qualified pedigree cats in a competitive show.

The line-up of the most popular breeds will include enormous Maine Coons, the sweet-faced British Shorthairs with their plush velvety fur, the elegant Burmese, glamorous Persian and maybe a Sphynx or two.

Thurles has the unique privilege of being the only town besides Dublin and Cork to host a show organised by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy of Ireland, the national registration body for pedigree cats.

The show opens to the public at 12:30pm with an entry fee of €6 for adults, €4 for children, students and senior citizens, or €12 for a family of four.

There is free entry for accompanied children who come dressed as a cat, with a selection of decorative tails, ears and whiskers expected to add atmosphere to the event.

Everyone who visits the show can vote for their favourite cat or kitten, with the cat with the most votes winning a special prize.

Visitors can also shop at June’s Pet Bedding stall, which sells beautiful pet bedding plus a wide array of grooming tools, toys and accessories for dogs and cats.

The Best in Show judging finale will start around 4pm, with the show ending at 4:30pm.

Best of Breed-winning cats are presented to the audience and described and discussed by the expert judges before the best cat in each breed section is chosen.

Finally, the show reaches a climax when the name of the Best In Show cat is revealed.

Thurles gave the cat show a great welcome in 2020 and 2023, and the GCCFI hopes to welcome back plenty of cat lovers, young and old, for this year’s fun and family-friendly afternoon.