1928: First successful Castlewellan Show

The News Letter noted: “The society has only been in existence since June, but already remarkable headway has been made and the organisation promises to be a great success.”

The paper added: “The demesne, with its thick wood and picturesque mountain background made an ideal setting. Unfortunately the weather was none too good, a steady drizzle falling during the afternoon, but happily it did not affect the attendance which seemed to become larger as the afternoon advanced.

“That the fixture attained a success beyond the most sanguine expectations is reflected in the fact that all the catalogues – 400 had been printed – were sold shortly after midday.”

The News Letter continued: “Roughly speaking, there were 800 entries. These embraced horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, and poultry, and in addition to the livestock sections there were competitions for buttermaking and grazing. The home industries – baking, embroidery work, and knitting – appealed most to the ladies, whilst farmers were given an opportunity of studying the latest types of machinery and implements. The pupils of the technical schools in the district had a little show all to themselves. Some of their work was very favourably commented upon by the visitors.”

To Mr Herbert Coulter of Killyleagh, fell the distinction of winning two cups. He secured the Maginn Challenge Trophy for the best brood mare with Kirwin Lass, and followed this success by carrying off the Bell Cup with Woodlawn Lass in a class for hunters.

The horse jumping competitions were productive of plenty of excitement, as were also the equestrian musical chairs.

One of the most attractive items, however, was the sheep dog trials. Mrs Aylwin, sister-in-law of Lady Mabel Annesley, distributed the cups, and was presented with an Irish linen supper cloth – which was worked in Castlewellan – by Master Nelson Jamieson, the little son of Mr J G Jamieson, honorary secretary of the society.

Mr Jamieson had the assistance of Mrs P Savage and Miss Ryan in the discharge of his duties, and to him, “much of the success of the fixtures was due”.

His other officials of the society were: Patron, Lady Mabel Annesley, president, Mr J W Murland, JP; chairman, Captain Murland; vice chairman, Mr J A Tanner, honorary treasurer, Mr Tanner, Castlewellan,

The judges for the day were as follows: Horses, Mr S Smyth, Kilkeen; shorthorn and dairy shorthorns, Mr John Smith, Aberdeen Angus and crossbred, Mr S Livingstone, Portaferry; swine, Mr W R Smyth, Crossgar; sheep, Leicester and short wooled, Mr James O’Hare, Dromara; mountain, Mr R J Wilson, Armagh; goats, Mr W R Flinn Ballynahinch; poultry Mr T J McMullan, Banbridge; butter and eggs, Miss McMullan, Banbridge; butter-making competition, Miss Walters, Ballynahinch; and grazing competition, H S Cuthbertson, Ministry Agriculture.

A number of cups and medals were presented at the Castlewellan Show in August 1928. They included: Challenge Cup, for best brood mare, Herbert Coulter, Killyleagh, Kirwin Lass. Walker Challenge Cup, for best two-year-old hunter in the show, H and J Murray, Legananny, Leitrim, Banbridge, King Edgar 2nd. Bell Challenge Cup, for best one-year-old hunter, Herbert Coulter, Woodlawn Lass. Savage Challenge Cup, for best shorthorn dairy shorthorn bull, James Peake, Ballymacarn, Ballynahinch, Carntal Knight. Wilson Challenge Cup, for best dairy cow, any age, Hugh Blakely, Ballybannon, Annsborough, Buttercup. Castlewellan Electric Light Company Challenge Cup, for best exhibit in Leicester sheep, R W McGregor, Annahilt. McCammon Challenge Cup, for the best near Blackface mountain ewes, John Heenan, Barbican Cottage, Newcastle. Captain Lowry’s Medal for beet short-wooled ewe lamb, Joseph Magill, Newcastle. Nesbitt and Gibson Challenge Cup, for best breeding trio poultry section, Mr and Mrs H McCann, Whitehill Poultry Farm, Ballynahinch.

The awards list for cattle showing at the Castlewellan Show that year included: Ministry of Agriculture prizes, confined members Castlewellan Milk Recording Association cows registered prior 1927, first, Archie Bingham, Dundrum; second, Peter McCann, Magherasauk; third, H McCracken, Ballylough. Shorthorn dairy shorthorn bull, any age, first, James Peake, Ballymacarn, Ballynahinch, Carntal Knight; second, M O’Prey, Ballymagweehan, Castlewellan, Roan General; third, Henry Warnock, Drumnacoile, Castlewellan. Aberdeen Angus bull, any age, first, Samuel McCoonhe, Drumaroad, Castlewellan, Derirer; second, David McKay, Dree, Dromara, Gordon of Angus; third, Stewart Linton, Aughacullion, Bryansford. Cross-bred licensed bull, an age, first, H and J Murray, Legananny, Leitrim, Paddy; second, J H McDowell, Aughlisnafin, Castlewellan, Bill; third, T J Ingram, Ballyroney, Drumee Hope. Dairy cow, any age, first, Hugh Blakely, Ballybannon, Annsborough, Buttercup; second, George Annett, Carrogs, Newcastle; third, Captain Murland, Annsborough. Heifer, born on or before 1st January, 1927, first, T Ingram, Ballyroney, Shining Star; second, Thomas McAleenan, Castlewellan; third, Dan McCartan (Thomas), Burrenreagh, Castlewellan. Calf, born on after 1st January, 1928, first and second, Samuel McCombe, Drumaroad, Castlewellan, Prince of Carnreagh and Queen Daisy; third, John Heenan.

In the pig classes the following awards were presented: Brood sow, first and third, Samuel M Cromie, Beechgrove, Spa, Ballynahinch; second, W J Whyte, Castlewellan. Cart of pigs, not less than six number, and not more than 12 weeks old, first and second, William. Whyte, Mill Hill. Castlewellan; third, S Cromie. Pair bacon pigs, suitable for north of Ireland trade, first, Robert J Cromie, Jubilee Cottage, Grove Road, Ballynahinch; second, Robert Shaw, Glarkhill, Annsborough; third, Alex Nesbitt, Clarkhill, Annsborough.