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festivals · Saturday 18 July 2026 · 09:00 - 17:00 
Castlewellan Agricultural Show
At Castlewellan Forest Park · Castlewellan Forest Park, Co. Down
At Castlewellan Forest Park · Castlewellan Forest Park, Co. Down
Every July, Castlewellan Forest Park fills with the sounds of livestock, the thud of hooves on turf and the cheer of a crowd that has come to mark the farming year. The Castlewellan Agricultural Show is one of the landmark summer days out in Co. Down, drawing around 20,000 people across a single Saturday. It suits families with young children, anyone with a genuine interest in farming and animals, and anyone who simply wants a full, unhurried day outdoors in one of the most attractive settings in Ulster.
The show runs from 9am to 5pm and packs a serious amount in. Livestock is the centrepiece - thousands of animals compete across classes covering beef and dairy cattle, sheep, horses, ponies, donkeys, pigs, poultry, rabbits and cavies. The judging rings fill up fast and the atmosphere around them has the focused, good-natured intensity that agricultural shows do well.
Outside the rings, show jumping and pony games run through the day, with dog agility and a family pet show drawing their own crowds. New for 2026 is a sheep speed shearing competition - fast, skilled and surprisingly gripping to watch.
Children are well looked after with a funfair that includes a bouncy castle, inflatable slide, bumper cars, maze, bungee trampoline and face painting. There are also interactive animal encounters for younger visitors who want to get a little closer to the farm.
Trade and home industries exhibits round out the day. Come with comfortable shoes and expect to cover some ground.
Castlewellan is in the Mourne foothills, roughly 40 km south of Belfast and 10 km north of Newcastle along the A25. By car from Belfast, take the A24 south through Ballynahinch and follow signs for Castlewellan. From Newry, take the A25 north-east through Rathfriland. Free on-site parking is available within the forest park, accessible spaces included. The town has no direct rail link, but Translink operates bus services from Newry and Newcastle on the 37 and 38 routes - check translink.co.uk for timetables.
The forest park itself is worth more than a quick visit - it holds one of Ireland’s finest arboretums and a lake walk that takes about an hour at an easy pace. The town square is small but has a handful of cafes for a proper lunch. There is more to see in Castlewellan and across Co. Down.
Heading to Castlewellan Forest Park in Castlewellan? Down has plenty more to see. Read the Castlewellan area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.