Media Release
Saturday, 7 March 2026
Minister Calleary announces €1 million for Agricultural Shows in 2026
- 126 shows nationwide to benefit from funding
- Grants awarded ranging from €4,200 to €11,400
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today announced an investment of over €1 million to support 126 Agricultural Shows right across the country.
As part of the initiative, each show will receive a grant of between €4,200 and €11,400 depending on their size. This funding will support the work of each of the 126 show committees as they prepare for the upcoming show season.
Minister Calleary made the announcement today as the Irish Show’s Association (ISA) are launching their 2026 Yearbook at an annual event in Athlone.
Making the announcement, Minister Calleary said:
“I am delighted as Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to be supporting these agricultural shows which are a great platform to showcase our wonderful Irish agriculture sector.
“Last year, I had the privilege of visiting a number of shows across the country and I got to see first-hand the enormous benefits that each show brings to a community.
“They also provide an opportunity for some friendly competition, and I am always struck by the quality of the livestock and produce on show. Our agricultural shows are also a great social event where lifelong friendships have been made and fostered.
“Today I am announcing funding of over €1m which will support 126 agricultural shows across the country during the 2026 show season. The funding announced today, brings the total my Department has provided under the fund to over €6.3m since 2017”
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht will work with the Irish Shows Association (ISA) to administer the 2026 fund.
The Minister concluded:
“There is a huge amount of work and planning required in the weeks and months leading up to these shows. This does not happen by chance.
“I want to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the ISA management and regional teams, the show committees, stewards, volunteers, and sponsors. Without your support this 200-year tradition of hosting these shows would not be possible.
“I would encourage everyone to go along and support their local show. These events are special and attendees will see the agricultural show has something to offer everyone.”
The funding provided to each show is available in a table HERE
Preasráiteas
Dé Sathairn, 7 Márta 2026
€1 milliún fógartha ag an Aire Calleary do Seónna Talmhaíochta in 2026
- 126 seó ar fud na tíre chun leas a bhaint as maoiniú
- Beidh luach idir €4,200 agus €11,400 leis na deontais
Inniu d’fhógair an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary TD, go ndéanfar infheistíocht de bhreis is €1 milliún chun tacú le 126 Seó Talmhaíochta fud fad na tíre.
Mar chuid den tionscnamh, gheobhaidh gach seó deontas idir €4,200 agus €11,400 de réir a mhéid. Tacóidh an maoiniú seo leis an obair atá ar bun ag gach ceann de na 126 choiste seó agus iad ag ullmhú don tséasúr seónna atá ag teacht aníos.
Rinne an tAire Calleary an fhógairt inniu agus Cumann Seónna na hÉireann (CSÉ) ag seoladh Bliainiris 2026 s’acu le linn imeacht bhliantúil i mBaile Átha Luain.
Agus é ag déanamh an fhógra, dúirt an tAire Calleary:
“Is cúis áthais dom mar Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta a bheith ag tacú leis na seónna talmhaíochta seo, ar ardáin thar barr iad chun earnáil talmhaíochta iontach na hÉireann a chur ar taispeáint.
“Anuraidh, bhí an phribhléid agam cuairt a thabhairt ar roinnt seónna ar fud na tíre agus chonaic mé go díreach na buntáistí ollmhóra a thugann gach seó don phobal.
“Is deis iad don iomaíocht chairdiúil freisin, agus téann caighdeán an bheostoic agus na dtáirgí atá ar taispeáint, téann siad i gcion orm i gcónaí. Is imeachtaí sóisialta iontacha iad ár seónna talmhaíochta freisin, ina ndéantar cairdeas saoil a chruthú agus a chothú.
“Inniu táim ag fógairt go dtabharfar maoiniú de bhreis is €1m chun tacú le 126 seó talmhaíochta ar fud na tíre le linn shéasúr seónna 2026. Fágann fógra an lae inniu gur mó an méid atá curtha ar fáil ag mo Roinn faoin chiste ná €6.3m ó 2017.”
Rachaidh an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta i gcomhar le Cumann Seónna na hÉireann (CSÉ) chun ciste 2026 a riar.
Mar fhocal scoir, dúirt an tAire:
“Tá méid ollmhór oibre agus pleanála de dhíth sna seachtainí agus sna míonna roimh na seónna seo. Ní trí sheans a tharlaíonn seo.
“Ba mhaith liom aitheantas a thabhairt d’iarrachtaí éachtacha bhainistíocht agus fhoirne réigiúnacha CSÉ, choistí na seónna, na maor, na n-oibrithe deonacha, agus na n-urraí. Gan bhur dtacaíocht, níorbh fhéidir na seónna seo a óstáil mar atá á dhéanamh le 200 bliain.
“Mholfainn do gach duine freastal ar a seó áitiúil agus tacú leis. Imeachtaí speisialta iad na seónna seo agus beidh sé soiléir do gach duine a fhreastalóidh orthu go bhfuil rud éigin ann do chách.”
Is féidir breathnú ar an mhaoiniú atá á chur ar fáil do gach seó sa tábla ANSEO.