Setanta Gaynor from Mullagh at last year's show

Trim hosts 75th royal meath show on sunday

All roads will lead to Trim this Sunday, 6th September, for the 75th annual Royal Meath Show, which takes place in the picturesque Porchfields.
With some 300 classes, food and craft stalls, children’s amusement area and plenty of live entertainment throughout the day, it is always a great family day out with something for everyone.
The 'Battle of the Breeds’ will be a major attraction in the cattle section this year, as the top five cattle from each of the breeds will compete against each other as a team.
Another new competition this year will be the Volac All-Ireland Milking Goat class with a prize fund of €300. This is the first time there will be a championship class for milking goats in Ireland.
These two new competitions will run alongside the normal classes in both the cattle and goats.
In the sheep section, there are four breed specific classes with classes for commercial sheep and rare breeds as well as a range of classes for lambs, ewes and rams, and young handlers.
The horse section caters for the youngest rider to the older and more experienced. There will be a number of different classes from in-hand showing classes to working hunter classes, which includes some jumping.
The horse section includes three dedicated classes for ridden thoroughbreds, after which the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Horse Championship will be held.
The home industries area is the most diverse, and covers everything from an apple to the best-dressed wellington! There will be a number of different classes for crafts, fruit and vegetables, artwork, photos, jams, baking and the all-important children’s classes.
There will be a honey section for the first time in many years with four classes and three prizes per category.
A special competition confined to Meath ICA guilds will be part of the 75th show, and in the children’s section there will be a prize fund of €75 for the best story about a pet.
The dog show is always a huge attraction for attendees. Last year was the first year there was a dog agility display and, this year, Jenny Hickey of K9 Dog Training Services and her team will provide a larger show. A dog master class is a new feature this year also, with four breeds getting a special mention and owners present to answer questions.
Live entertainment on the day will feature Irish dancers, the Celtic Blondes, and local brothers, Matt and Paul Leavy, who will be singing from 2pm.
The organisers are the weather will be good on the day and those who would like will be able to have a waltz around the dance floor in the beautiful setting of the Porchfields, overlooking Trim Castle.
For the children there will be face-painting, an amusement area and 'Trim zoo’ with many different farm animals.
Schedules will be available in local shops or by contacting the show secretary on (086) 735 5557. All classes are listed on the website www.trim-show.com or on the show’s Facebook page.
The Royal Meath Show is always very much a family affair, with connections of the first committee which organised the very first show still involved today planning the 75th event.
The organisers are always looking for volunteers and would be delighted if anyone could spare a few hours on the day. Contact any member of the committee for more information.