← All events
markets · Saturday 18 July 2026 · 08:00am 
Down Agricultural Show
At Downpatrick Showgrounds · Showgrounds, Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 7JD
At Downpatrick Showgrounds · Showgrounds, Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 7JD
One of County Down’s longest-standing summer fixtures, the Down Agricultural Show brings the farming community and general public together for a full day at Downpatrick Showgrounds. Run by the Down Agricultural Society, it is the kind of event that rewards an early start - gates open at 8am and the showing rings fill up quickly with stock that has been prepared for weeks. Families, farming folk, and curious visitors all find a reason to be there, whether that is watching prize cattle parade in the ring or simply working through a run of trade stands with a cup of tea in hand.
Livestock is the backbone of the day. Cattle, sheep, and horses are judged across multiple breed classes, with rosettes and championships announced throughout the morning and into the afternoon. The standard is high - exhibitors travel from across County Down and beyond to compete. Alongside the livestock rings you will find a range of trade and craft stands, food stalls serving hot food and refreshments on site, and displays from local businesses and rural organisations. There are usually family-oriented attractions running in parallel, making it a practical day out for children who may have less patience for a three-hour judging schedule. Farm machinery draws its own audience - the scale of modern equipment always stops people in their tracks.
Downpatrick sits about 30 kilometres south of Belfast, reached via the A7 from the city or the A25 from Newry and the south. The Showgrounds are on the outskirts of town; brown tourist signs point the way from the town centre. Translink operates bus services between Belfast and Downpatrick, though a car is the more practical option for a full show day with young children. Parking is available at the showgrounds and is typically free on the day.
The town itself is worth the trip on its own terms - Saint Patrick’s grave at Down Cathedral is a short walk from the centre, and the Down County Museum covers the history of the county well. There is more to see in Downpatrick and across Co. Down.
Heading to Downpatrick Showgrounds in Downpatrick? Down has plenty more to see. Read the Downpatrick area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.