Offaly population to double... just for one day

Around 500 workers are currently putting the final touches to the agricultural show which almost doubles the population of Co Offaly for one day each year.

The 260-acre Butterfield Estate showground site in Blueball, just outside Tullamore, is a hive of activity ahead of the anticipated influx of more than 60,000 visitors for the Tullamore Show and National Livestock Show this Sunday.

"Things are going great – the site is looking fabulous," said show secretary Freda Kinnarney. She said this year's show would be opened by long-term supporter and Fine Gael MEP Mairéad McGuinness. "We will have worldwide dignitaries coming, the Australian Ambassador, the Chinese Ambassador, the Italian Ambassador and we have the economic secretary from the UK Embassy," said Ms Kinnarney.

Showcase

Now in its 26th year, Ireland’s largest one-day agricultural show has become a showcase for produce and livestock – serving as a temporary shopfront for agricultural machinery suppliers, motor dealers and many agri businesses and organisations.