While the plan is to return to a full-scale in-person show in May, livestreaming livestock classes proved so popular last year with an international audience that many will be livestreamed again.

Representatives from Ulster Bank and the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) came together to kickstart the countdown to Northern Ireland’s biggest agricultural show.

With less than 100 days until the show returns to Balmoral Park, Ulster Bank has confirmed it will remain at the helm of the event and continue as principal sponsor for 2022.

Following a move to September in 2021 as a result of the pandemic, the Show will take place this year from 11-14 May. Visitors can expect the usual mix of machinery exhibits, local food, shopping outlets and family entertainment, along with some new additions to be announced in due course.

As always, agricultural and livestock displays will take centre stage across the four-day Show with cattle parades, show jumping events and the ever-popular Sheep Shearing 6 Nations tournament all included on the bill.

Show organisers have also confirmed that many of the livestock classes will be streamed online again, having attracted an international audience in 2021.

Rhonda Geary, Operations Director with RUAS said: “Last year we took the decision to live stream many of our livestock classes purely for Covid-19 reasons and while we are hoping to return to a full scale, in-person Show, it’s clear there is a real appetite to continue offering this service.

“We found that the live streams attracted an international following and we’re keen to boost the profile of the Balmoral Show to a wider audience and highlight the standard and competitiveness of Northern Ireland livestock.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming back all of our exhibitors, competitors and visitors and are working hard to deliver a world class event. With the help of our partners in Ulster Bank, we are focused on broadening the appeal of the Show to a mass audience and as always, appreciate all of the support and guidance this partnership offers.”

Mark Crimmins, Regional Director, Ulster Bank NI, said that Ulster Bank was proud to once again support the Balmoral Show.

“We have been principal sponsor of the Balmoral Show since 2009 and during this time have worked hard to raise the profile of the event and ensure it grows from strength to strength.

“While Covid caused many challenges for the agri sector, it also highlighted the resilience of the industry and shone a light on its importance to our local economy. While many of these challenges still exist for local farmers and producers, we want to use our association with the Balmoral Show to reassure our agricultural customers that we are here to support them through these difficult periods and reaffirm our commitment to the wider industry.

“We are ready to work with the team at RUAS to ensure that this year’s Balmoral Show is a memorable one and hope to provide a place for famers and producers to come together and share experiences over the course of the four days.”

Tickets for the Show will be day specific again this year and will be available to purchase online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk from this Friday (February 04). The website will also list details on livestock competition entries, Show opening hours, as well as the full programme of events.

To find out more about Ulster Bank’s support for agri-food customers or to get in touch with a member of the team, visit www.ulsterbank.com

Caption: Kickstarting the countdown to the 2022 Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank are (L-R) Mark Crimmins, Head of Ulster Bank, NI; Rhonda Geary, Operations Director, RUAS and Cormac McKervey, Senior Agriculture Manager, Ulster Bank.

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Commenting at the launch, RUAS Chief Executive, Dr. Alan Crowe said, ‘We would like to thank our Platinum Sponsors for their continued support of Northern Ireland’s largest agri-food event. We cannot wait to bring Balmoral back for 2021 and as always, the Show promises to be four fun-filled day out for all the family.”

This year the Show will run from Wednesday 22^nd September to Saturday 25^th September 2021. Tickets are selling fast and are now available to purchase online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk. Please note tickets are day specific only and must be purchased prior to the Show. Conditions of entry can be found online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk.

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As Northern Ireland’s largest agri-food event, it promises to be four fun-filled days out for all the family. Taking place at Balmoral Park, Lisburn from Wednesday 22^nd September to Saturday 25^th September 2021, the Show prides itself on offering something for everyone.

With an array of Trade stands to browse,  the ever popular competitions and classes competing for prestigious Balmoral titles, the NI Food Pavilion showcasing the very best of local produce as well as a wide range of family entertainment and attractions, this spectacular Show is not to be missed!

Alan Crowe, RUAS Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to officially launch the 2021 Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank.  This week marks the 7 week countdown until the 152^nd Balmoral Show and plans are well underway.

“We are excited to welcome visitors back to Balmoral Park for the 2021 Balmoral Show and we have implemented a number of necessary changes to ensure a Covid-safe event and the safety and wellbeing of our visitors, exhibitors, stewards, officials and contractors remains the greatest importance.’’

Top class attractions

As always, there will be top class attractions at this year’s Show. The Show will feature an enhanced National Show Jumping Schedule including two fantastic new Championships including a Young Rider Championship and the National Grand Prix, a welcome addition to our Show Jumping portfolio. The Show will also feature some new additions, such as, the RAF Parachute team and a Polo Exhibition.

Visitors can also look forward to the return of many family favourites; the Children’s Farm, Downtown Show Stage, Healthy Horticulture Area, many mobile family attractions and the NI Food Pavilion will all return to the showgrounds.

Fun-filled

Alan concluded, ‘‘We cannot wait to bring Balmoral back for 2021, as always the Show promises a fun-filled day out, with so much to see and do there really is something for everyone.  Whether you’re looking for a family day out, fantastic food or the chance to see exceptional livestock displays, it’s all in the Show!

‘‘We would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support, especially our principal sponsor Ulster Bank and our platinum sponsors ABP, Marks & Spencer’s, SPAR and TESCO.”

Cormac McKervey, Senior Agriculture Manager, Ulster Bank, said he was looking forward to returning to Balmoral Park for this year’s Show.

“The cancellation of the 2020 Show reinforced for many just how big an event Balmoral is for the local farming sector, not only in terms of economic importance but also the social aspect of the Show. I know our teams across Ulster Bank are looking forward to returning to Balmoral Park in September for what promises to be an excellent event for farmers and those connected with the sector and of course for families and day-trippers in search of a great day out.

Agri-food industry

“As we move closer to the Show, Ulster Bank’s message is that we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to the local agri-food industry. We recognise that these are challenging times for many farmers and producers and we want to use our sponsorship of the Balmoral Show to reassure our agri-customers that we are here to guide them through this period. We are looking forward to catching up with colleagues and friends across the four days of the Show, and while some elements may look and feel different, we welcome the opportunity to meet, share experiences and offer support for the year ahead.”

Platinum sponsors include ABP, M&S, SPAR and TESCO.

RUAS Chief Executive, Dr. Alan Crowe said, ‘We would like to thank our Platinum Sponsors for their continued support of Northern Ireland’s largest agri-food event. We cannot wait to bring Balmoral back for 2021 and as always, the Show promises to be four fun-filled day out for all the family.”

This year the Show will run from Wednesday 22^nd September to Saturday 25^th September 2021. Tickets are selling fast and are now available to purchase online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk. Please note tickets are day specific only and must be purchased prior to the Show. Conditions of entry can be found online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk.

*Please note this year tickets are day specific only and must be purchased prior to the Show. Conditions of entry can be found online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk.*

Cormac McKervey, Senior Agriculture Manager, Ulster Bank joins Dr. Alan Crowe, Chief Executive, RUAS mark the 8 week countdown to the Show.

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