Local Tipperary village gears up for special summer festival

Dualla Show is back on Sunday, August 25, and is expected to attract thousands with its mix of livestock, horses, monster trucks, modified tractors, live music, artisan food and free children's entertainment.

Dualla Show chairman Jack Bourke spoke of the importance of local communities being the lifeblood of agricultural shows and how the community had rallied after the late cancellation of last year's event due to unsafe ground conditions.

This year the organizers have planned a more resilient event with the help of the landowners for their crucial contribution and to the show's sponsors, many in attendance, for their support each year to make events like Dualla Show possible.

Stars of Country:

This year Dualla Show brings a line-up of country music acts featuring Shawn Cuddy, Olivia Douglas, Gerry Guthrie, Paddy O’Brien, and Dualla’s own Trudi Lalor performing throughout the afternoon.

"The success of the previous music events at Dualla have been so overwhelming we decided to develop it further and add even more acts," said Jack.

"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 lineup, some up and coming faces on the country scene will also make an appearance, with Dee Morrissey and Colin Kenny performing on stage early in the afternoon.

Livestock.

This year’s livestock will host the All-Ireland final of the Aberdeen-Angus Club Bull & 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% of the bull’s marks being based on its ICBF terminal index before entering the ring with the remaining 60% of the marks will be 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, there is a new Blue Texel class.

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.

Showjumping.

For equestrian fans, Dualla will 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.

Free Kids Entertainment.

The free children’s entertainment will consist of a secure and supervised play area with completely free inflatable castles, slides and obstacle courses including the 100ft "Eliminator."

There will also be a fantastic pet farm that lets kids get up close with rabbits, hamsters and chickens, as well as the famous Dualla Bucket Train, winding its way around the showgrounds all day.

Also completely free is Ireland’s best loved big top circus, who bring their exciting daredevil acts to Dualla.

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.

Monster Trucks Show.

New to Dualla Show this year is a Monster Trucks event who will entertain the crowds with car crushing.

Tractor Pulling.

Huge crowds will also line both sides of the Dualla Show track as the Irish Tractor Pulling Committee returns this year with another fantastic display of horsepower. If you’ve got a tractor and wish to enter it you will be able to do so via website. Pulling starts at 11.30am and will continue all day.

Tug of War.

Recent years have seen something of a resurgence in the popularity of tug of war throughout the country and Dualla Show are delighted to host a competition in association with Munster Tug of War.

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

Elsewhere at Dualla Show will be a display by Tipperary Emergency Services, plus trade stands including O’Neills Sportswear shop.

These, plus many more events and attractions will be available on the day. For the full list, check out the Dualla Show website.