Gildernew to welcome President McAleese at Balmoral Show

Minister Michelle Gildernew MLA will welcome the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese to the annual Balmoral Show which will take place from 12-14 May.

The Balmoral Show is the premier event in the north’s agri-food calendar, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and livestock exhibitors over three days, and once again will be an extravaganza of competition, showmanship and colour. Daily displays of cattle, sheep, horses, ponies, pigs and poultry will feature and over 450 trade stands throughout the Showgrounds will offer visitors a wide range of products and services.

President McAleese will attend the DARD Breakfast hosted by Minister Gildernew on Thursday morning, 13 May before enjoying a tour of the show.

The Executive’s exhibition in the Balmoral Hall (adjacent to the Nugent Hall) will include exciting exhibits and activities, and will allow visitors to experience new and innovative ways in which services are being delivered to the public. At the DARD Direct exhibit, visitors will be able to explore how on-line services can help with the management of farm businesses, check farm maps and learn about how agri-environment schemes can be enhanced. Visitors to the DARD exhibition will also be able to try out cutting edge technology and explore everything from rural development to excellence in local food, information technology to business development, countryside management to careers in the agri-food industry to forestry grants and flood maps.

Announcing her special guest for this year’s show, Minister Gildernew said: “I look forward to welcoming President McAleese to the Balmoral Show. The event is vitally important to our agri-food industry and will provide a great opportunity to showcase the high quality of the northern agri-food sector to President McAleese.”

Highlighting DARD’s exhibition, Minister Gildernew added: “The Balmoral Show is the centre-piece event of the local farming calendar, when country comes to town. The Department’s display will form part of the Executive’s exhibition and offers farmers, and rural dwellers, the opportunity to tap into the expertise that will be on hand to provide guidance on a range of agri-food and rural matters.

“This year we will be displaying a wide range of services and information on my Department’s work, including DARD Direct, education and training opportunities, technology and business development services, environmental, animal health and welfare issues, and diversification. I would encourage everyone with an interest in farming and rural development to visit our exhibition and chat to our experts.”

Notes to editors:

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