Kilmac Saddles Up For Another Mild Ride

You lookin’ at me…?

t’s always a grand day out at The Kilmacanogue Show, and this year was particularly packed with all creatures great and small.

And quite a few shiny, happy humans too, of course.

Held annually at The Enniskerry Horse Farm in Monastery, by kind permission of Mary and Syl Fenelon Bourke, The Kilmacanogue Show is now in its 53rd year, bigger and stronger than ever.

Highlights included such show staples as the horse and pony classes, including the ever-challenging pairs and performance hunter classes, whilst the carriage class made a welcome return. For the very young, there was also the introduction of a dedicated Hobby Horse ring, featuring Oreo, Harry and Bella.

And no Kilmacanogue show is complete without the dog show, its 12 classes ensuring there is literally a class for everyone’s four legged canine friend, from the dog you’d like most to take home, the best puppy and best dressed-fancy dressed dog.

There was also a range of local artisan stalls selling everything from jams and chutneys, breads and cakes to jewellery, handknits, dog collars, ceramics, upcycling, plants and crafts along with the vintage car display and those huggable K2 Alpacas, back by popular demand, all to the background music coming from Event FM, broadcasting live from the event.

The Kids Zone was back this year too, with lots of free activities and traditional carnival games along with free pony rides, face painting, and a chance to meet the farm animals from the Agri-Aware mobile farm. There were also workshops aplenty, from painting to ceramics.

The theme this year was Keeping Rural Life Alive in 2025, with Dee Doyle, the show secretary, elaborated that “keeping the true essence of community partnership is important to us and we have partnered with local individuals, businesses and charities to facilitate a number of workshops, talks and demonstrations dedicated to rural craft, heritage and sustainability.”

Also on the schedule were some demonstrations on wood carving, sheep shearing, wool spinning, and from the Viking craft forge where spectators can see the art of heritage craft in action, plus horticulturist Rosemary O’Flynn, who gave a talk on biodiversity and sustainability, whilst Ballydane Honey gave a talk on beekeeping.

Over the last 53 years, the show, which is run by volunteers, has stayed true to its rural and agricultural roots and ethos, allowing the community to experience a slice of rural life and a community family day out. Any profits from the show are distributed to local charities and community groups. This is something the committee, in partnership with community support, is very proud to do.

A big thanks, as always, to Gerry Kelly for covering the day – you can check out his full gallery of over 100 pics right here.

You can also find out more about The Kilmacanogue Show here, and follow on Instagram here and Facebook here, and jump back to 2024’s big show here, 2023 here, 2022 here and 2019 here.

That full gallery of Gerry Kelly hi-res pics is here. And you can start jumping back through the years here.