Ballymoney Show returns as rising costs put pressure on Northern Ireland’s rural events

Ailbhe McCusker, Community Champion at Share Energy, and participants at the Ballymoney Show launch.

Agricultural shows across Northern Ireland are facing growing financial pressure, but organisers behind this week’s Ballymoney Show say the events remain vital lifelines for rural communities, small businesses and the local economy.

The Ballymoney Show returns on June 5 and 6 at Ballymoney Showgrounds, bringing together farmers, traders, families and rural organisations at a time when organisers say rising operational costs are making survival increasingly difficult.

As energy prices, equipment costs and wider financial pressures continue to squeeze rural events, sponsorship and local partnerships are becoming increasingly critical to keeping long-established agricultural shows on the road.

Share Energy has now reaffirmed its support for the farming sector through sponsorship of both the Ballymoney Show and this year’s Newry Agricultural Show, as organisers warn that agricultural events are operating in an increasingly challenging environment.

Ballymoney Show remains major boost for rural economy

Sheep shearing demonstration at the Ballymoney Show 2025.

While agricultural shows are often viewed as traditional summer fixtures, organisers say their economic and social importance stretches far beyond a single weekend.

The Ballymoney Show continues to provide an important platform for local enterprise, particularly for small independent traders and start-up rural businesses looking to reach new customers.

Anne McLaughlin, Secretary of the Ballymoney Show, said the event plays a major role in supporting the wider rural economy across North Antrim and beyond.

“As a charity and a limited company, we don’t make a profit ourselves, but we aim to support the local rural economy by giving small businesses a platform to get established,” she said.

“Many traders are just starting out and use the show to introduce themselves to the public, whether that’s craft stalls, food producers, clothing or woodwork businesses.”

Thousands of visitors are expected to attend across the two-day event, with livestock competitions, trade stands, demonstrations and family attractions once again forming the backbone of the show.

Ailbhe McCusker, Community Champion at Share Energy and Brian Lockhart, Chair of the Newry Agricultural Show.

Organisers say the event also continues to serve as a key networking hub for the farming industry at a time when interest in agricultural technology and innovation is growing rapidly.

“There’s definitely increased demand to see new technologies in agriculture, especially machinery,” Anne added.

Rising costs creating pressure behind the scenes

Behind the scenes, however, organisers say the financial reality of staging large agricultural events has become increasingly difficult.

At Ballymoney Show, generators remain essential to powering significant parts of the event infrastructure, including around 30 trade stands, pavilion facilities, refrigeration equipment, laptops, charging points and the demonstration kitchen unit.

Horse competition at The Ballymoney Show, which will take place on June 5th and 6th at the Ballymoney Showgrounds, North Road, Ballymoney, Co Antrim, Antrim.

Anne said the unpredictability of energy and operational costs has added further pressure to already stretched budgets.

“We need to know what we plan to spend on power and electricity so we can factor it into our expenses,” she said.

“Having more certainty around energy costs would make managing shows much easier.”

The challenges facing Ballymoney mirror wider concerns across Northern Ireland’s agricultural show circuit, where organisers continue to deal with rising insurance costs, infrastructure expenses and post-pandemic financial strain.

Share Energy will sponsor the Young Farmers’ Cooking Competition at the Ballymoney Show.

At the Newry Agricultural Show, which returns on June 27, organisers say many of the same pressures are being felt despite the event’s long history and large scale.

Now in its 156th year, the Newry Agricultural Show attracts more than 3,500 attendees, 500 livestock competitors and around 100 trade stands annually, generating an estimated £115,000 in local economic impact.

Brian Lockhart, Chair of the Newry Agricultural Show, said agricultural shows continue to provide enormous value for both rural and urban communities.

“These events bring real value, not only for farmers but for the wider public as well,” he said.

“It’s about bringing people together, sharing best practice in agriculture and giving urban audiences a chance to see what rural life is really like.”

The Newry Agricultural Show will return on Saturday, 27th June 2026, at 12–18Derrywilligan Road, Bessbrook, Co. Down. Gates open at 9 am.

He added that the financial pressures facing shows reflect wider pressures across rural industries generally.

“We’re all under financial pressure. Whether you’re a small show like ours or a larger one, you still must find the money to run it,” Brian said.

“Costs have gone up significantly since COVID, and they haven’t come back down.”

Sponsorship increasingly vital for survival

Organisers say sponsorship now plays a crucial role in ensuring agricultural shows can continue operating while maintaining standards and attracting visitors.

Share Energy has become a Gold Sponsor of the Newry Agricultural Show and will also sponsor the Young Farmers’ Cooking Competition at the Ballymoney Show.

Anne said support from sponsors and local councils is essential to keeping events financially viable.

“We are very grateful for the sponsorship provided by Share Energy this year and hope it will continue in the future,” she said.

“We rely heavily on financial support from dedicated sponsors and local council funding. That support helps us cover running costs and provide additional attractions for visitors.”

Brian added:

“We couldn’t run a show without sponsors like Share Energy.

“When companies support events like this, it raises the professionalism of the show and allows us to deliver a better experience for everyone.”

Rural events remain central to community life

For Share Energy, the company says its involvement reflects the importance of sustaining rural communities and helping businesses navigate increasingly complex energy challenges.

Ailbhe McCusker, Community Champion at Share Energy, said agricultural shows continue to serve as important meeting points for rural Northern Ireland.

“Agricultural shows are at the heart of rural life in Northern Ireland,” she said.

“They’re not just events; they’re essential meeting points where people connect, businesses engage and important conversations happen.”

The company, which works with farmers and businesses across Northern Ireland on energy management and renewable solutions, said rural industries continue to face mounting pressure from operational costs.

“Even where energy isn’t front and centre, it still underpins everything, from rising operational costs to the pressures facing exhibitors and organisers,” Ailbhe said.

“We see our role as helping rural businesses navigate those challenges and build long-term resilience.”

Judging at the Newry Show.

She added that face-to-face engagement at local shows remains especially important for rural communities.

“Shows provide a rare opportunity to have face-to-face conversations in a setting where people feel at ease,” she said.

“That’s incredibly valuable when it comes to supporting farmers and rural businesses with something as important, and often complex, as energy.”

As Ballymoney prepares to welcome visitors this week, organisers say the continued success of agricultural shows will increasingly depend on sustained community support, sponsorship and public engagement.

The Ballymoney Show will take place on June 5 and 6 at Ballymoney Showgrounds, North Road, Ballymoney, Co Antrim.

The Newry Agricultural Show will return on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 12–18 Derrywilligan Road, Bessbrook, Co Down, with gates opening at 9am.

Share Energy will also attend the Omagh Show on July 4, the Castlewellan Agricultural Show on July 18 and the Clogher Valley Show on July 30 as part of its ongoing support for rural events across Northern Ireland.