Iverk Show organisers ready to welcome bumper crowd to South East's biggest showcase of rural life

The delicious line up of entries in the Iverk Show's annual Cherry Cake competition. 

Preparations for the annual Iverk Show are reaching their climax with just over a week to go to the South East’s biggest showcase of agricultural and rural life, which for the first time ever boasts a prize fund of more than €100,000.

Up to 25,000 people are expected to attend the country’s oldest agricultural show at the showgrounds in Piltown just a few miles from Carrick-on-Suir on Saturday, August 26. The show is now in its 197th year.

The Iverk Show is one of the last big social occasions of the summer before kids and teenagers return to school and college.

It boasts a vast array of competitions ranging from show classes for horses and ponies, show jumping, sheep, cattle, poultry, eggs, dogs, fruit, vegetables, flowers, flower arranging, farm produce, arts, crafts, jams, cakes, and honey.

Six all-Ireland championship finals will take place at the show including the Broodmare and Foal Team Championship, which is the longest running championship under the Irish Shows Association banner.

The Aldi ABP Irish Angus Bull Calf All-Ireland championships will have three finals for different age calves and there will be a Tréad na hEireann competition and young handlers’ event.

There are categories in many competitions for children as well as adults with special sections for primary and secondary school pupils.

Other highlights of the event are the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady competition, a fashion show, bonny baby competition where every entrant gets a prize and the Great Cherry Cake competition in the baking section.

The show will feature between 300 and 400 trade stands from large outdoor exhibits to small indoor industries and artisan food stalls and a food market marquee filled with food and drinks produced by local and national producers.

Displays of vintage cars, tractors and machinery with working demonstrations and a garden section with a free children's play area will also be among the attractions.

There will also be a free musical entertainment plaza and one of most exciting events of the day will be the Tug-of-War contests.

Entries are currently being taken for Iverk Show competitions. Log onto the Iverk Show website for information on how to submit an entry.

Iverk Show PRO Norman Storey said the organising committee look forward to welcoming the public to this year’s show.

He pointed out that parking is free with a special area for disabled parking. He urged people attending the event to please obey the directions of gardaí and stewards on duty around the showgrounds.

Gates open at 9am and tickets cost €15 for adults, €10 for students with a student identity card and children under 12-years-old are free of charge. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash.