BACK in 1950, an All-Ireland Ploughing Match was held on the current Bandon Showgrounds. The proceeds from that match allowed the Bandon Agricultural and Show Society to purchase the field and revive the show. 1950 was a famously wet year and that day was noted to have been a washout. Bandon Show this year escaped with lesser rain than forecast, but a heavy shower at noon failed to dampen the spirits of a very well-attended show!

The horse and pony rings were once again a hive of activity and ran smoothly under the eyes of joint equine chairmen, Brendan O’Donovan and Cha Dullea. The latter may have been seen galloping on foot around the inaugural ‘Hobby Horse Grand National’ once the Young Horse championship had been judged. The Young Horse title went to Aidan Williamson’s two-year-old, KLF Wedding Belle. This is a home-bred filly by CC Captain Cruise.