Dualla Show in mid Tipperary is regarded as 'the best little show in Munster'

Above: From left, Peter Gleeson (Dualla Show Treasurer), Aisling Larkin (TV chef), Mary Howley (Dualla Show), Nigel Skehan (AIB, sponsor), Michael Walsh (AIB, sponsor), Audrey Moloughney (Dualla Show Secretary) and Ray Hunt (Dualla Show Chairman)

Dubbed the best little show in Munster, Dualla Show is back on Sunday, August 27 and is expected to attract thousands with its incredible mix of livestock, horses, trucks, modified tractors, live music, artisan food and free children’s entertainment.

Dualla Show chairman, Ray Hunt said that “last year’s phenomenal success after a two-year Covid break showed there’s a huge appetite for quality, family-friendly outdoor events”.

This year also sees Dualla Show becoming an official licensed event.

“Due to the enormous scale to which Dualla Show has grown, we obtained an event licence and have been working closely with Tipperary County Council and the Gardaí to ensure we provide the best possible traffic management and all-round health and safety,” said Ray.

The show has a stellar line-up of country music acts featuring Shawn Cuddy, Olivia Douglas, John McNicholl, Paddy O’Brien and Dualla’s very own Trudi Lalor performing throughout the afternoon.

“The success of the previous music events at Dualla has been so overwhelming we decided to develop it further and add even more acts,” says Ray.

“Having such a professionally-run stage and quality sound system, plus being a non-alcohol event really makes for a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere that’s really something special”.

In addition to the main line-up, some new faces on the country scene will also make appearances with Sina Theil, Tex Deegan and Dee Morrissey all performing on stage early in the afternoon.

This year’s livestock will host the final of the Munster Aberdeen-Angus Club Bull and Heifer of the Year competition. This promises to be a thrilling finale, bringing together the winners of the qualifiers held in Midleton, Cork, Barryroe and Dungarvan earlier in the summer.

The Pedigree Hereford Male Championship in particular will attract some stiff competition, with a first prize of €500, with 40 percent of the bull’s marks being based on its ICBF terminal index before entering the ring, with the remaining 60 percent of the marks being scored by the judge on the day.

Other classes of interest will be the Best Traditional and Continental Breeding Heifers, plus the popular Best Matching Pair in Show with a first prize of €500 cash.

In the sheep event the Texel classes are returning after their introduction last year.

This distinctive breed has excellent temperament and conformation, with great maternal traits, and are good milkers. Also running throughout the day are sheep dog trials, which take place adjacent to the main show field.

For equestrian fans, Dualla will once again host the Connolly Red Mills Munster Grand Prix League, in addition to the normal SJI classes. All pony classes will be qualifying rounds for the Waterford/Tipperary SJI Pony Leagues and the Munster Stars of the Future League.

An affordable family day out is part of the Dualla Show ethos and the free children’s entertainment is back and better than ever, consisting of a secure and supervised play area with completely free inflatable castles, slides and obstacle courses, including the 100-foot “Eliminator”.

There will also be a fantastic pet farm that lets children get up close with rabbits, hamsters and chickens. And don’t forget the famous Dualla Bucket Train will be winding its way around the showgrounds all day.

Also completely free is Ireland’s best loved big top circus, Circus Gerbola, who bring their exciting Globe of Death, Flying Trapeze, Wheel of Death and High Wire acts to Dualla, all in the company of the fabulous Gerbola clowns, acrobats, contortionists, horses, ponies, dogs and goats.

The circus will perform four one-hour shows at 1pm, 2.15pm, 4pm and 5.30pm, with a special ticket office of its own to ensure everyone gets an opportunity to book a ticket and return later in the day for their relevant show slot.

The Tipperary Truck Show continues to attract entrants from both Ireland and the UK, while huge crowds will also line both sides of the Dualla Show track, as the Irish Tractor Pulling Committee return this year with another fantastic display of horsepower.

This year’s “Live at the Marquee” food and gardening demos are sponsored by Arrabawn and broadcaster, chef and lifestyle coach Aisling Larkin will demo her passion for healthy and tasty recipes, with her first demo starting at 12pm.

Also in the marquee this year is Arrabawn’s Ultan Nesbitt, who will be giving gardening tips on harvesting your kitchen garden, autumn container baskets, caring for your roses and spring bulb planting.

The incredible food village will feature a diverse collection of quality artisan food makers, including the winner of RTE’s Battle of the Food Trucks, Chris Braganza, aka Spice Genie.

The dog show is also back again, with John Smullen of Moyglass Kennels overseeing another great selection of dog classes with prizes sponsored by O’Connor Julian Veterinary.

This year Dualla Show will also host a six-team 600kg tug of war event, in association with Tug of War Ireland and the Ballynonty-based Slieveardagh Tug of War Club.

Pulling starts at 12pm and will continue throughout the afternoon.