The 2026 Tinahely Agricultural Show, which took place yesterday, Monday, 3rd August, is one of the largest and longest-running agricultural shows in Ireland, attracting on average, over 20,000 visitors each year. This year, it hosted over 400 trade exhibitors. Wicklow County Council showed its support for the Show with the provision of a special marquee highlighting the Council’s services and the county’s attractions.
The Show has been running since 1935 and continues to showcase the richness and diversity of rural life in County Wicklow, offering a vast range of entertainment, livestock competitions, equestrian events, arts and crafts, family fun, and local food produce.
The Show featured some of the best livestock in the country with over 1,000 entries in cattle, sheep, horses, ponies and poultry. It also hosted the Interbreed Cattle Championships, sheep shearing, and geese herding, along with an equestrian section that included show jumping, horse racing, and pony games.
The wealth of creativity and talent within the local community and throughout the county was celebrated at the Craft Village, which featured over 100 stalls selling handmade craft items, including jewellery, pottery, woodwork, and textiles. The Show also had a food village where visitors could sample some of the finest local produce from County Wicklow and beyond.
Wicklow County Council supported the Show again this year by hosting “The Best of Wicklow” marquee, which featured various services offered by the Council, along with associated groups. We were also delighted to sponsor the participation of the Sensory Bus at the show this year.
Stalls and stands in the Best of Wicklow marquee included:
- Wicklow Sports Partnership
- Wicklow County Council Fire Service
- Wicklow Local Community Safety Partnership
- Wicklow County Council Mobile Library Service
- Wicklow County Council Vacant Homes
- Wicklow County Council Climate Action Team
- County Wicklow Childcare
- Sensory Bus
- Wicklow County Council Local Enterprise Office
- County Wicklow Civil Defence
- KWETB
- County Wicklow GAA
- Wicklow Tourism
- Glenmalure Pure Mile Project
- LEADER (County Wicklow Partnership)
- County Wicklow Register of Electors
- Public Participation Network
- Tinahely Arts Centre
- Ceoltas Wicklow
- LAWPRO
- West Wicklow Mental Health Association
- Wicklow Naturally
Speaking in the show, Leas Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Avril Cronin said, "Tinahely show is one of the highlights of the year in County Wicklow. It is a celebration of rural Wicklow, of our agricultural sector, our local businesses, our food producers and crafts, as well as our communities. It is a wonderful showcase of everything that Wicklow has to offer and highlights the very best of our county. Our agricultural sector is the backbone of our rural communities and Tinahely Agricultural Show offers an opportunity to recognise the contribution this sector makes to every corner of county Wicklow. I would like to commend the incredible dedication of the show committee and volunteers, who work tirelessly each year to make the show possible. Their commitment, passion and dedication ensures that Tinahely Agricultural show continues to thrive and remains such an important occasion for the entire county.”
Cathaoirleach of Baltinglass Municipal District, Cllr. Jason Mulhall, said, “The Tinahely Agricultural Show is one of the premier events in the region and a wonderful celebration of our farming heritage, rural communities and local enterprise. Every year, the dedicated committee and volunteers deliver an outstanding event that attracts thousands of visitors and showcases the very best our area has to offer. I want to congratulate everyone involved in organising this year's show and encourage people from across Wicklow and beyond to come along, support the event and enjoy a fantastic day out.”
Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, said, “Wicklow County Council fully supports the Tinahely show each year, the show showcases all that is great about Wicklow. It captivates a rural and urban audience and brings tens of thousands of people to this beautiful part of the county, all of whom leave having experienced the rich culture that rural Wicklow has to offer. I would like to sincerely congratulate the Tinahely Show Committee for their dedicated work in making the show such a success each year.”