Cork Summer Show: What to expect at this year's event 

For many children growing up in Cork city today, the connection between the food on the table and the farm it came from can feel more distant than it should.

They may know the carton of milk in the fridge, the bread in the lunchbox, or the potatoes on the dinner plate, but they may not have had the chance to stand beside a cow being milked, watch machinery at work, or speak directly to the farmers and producers whose daily work sustains us all.

That is one of the reasons agricultural education is such a major focus for Cork Summer Show in 2026.

This year, we want to do more than simply showcase agriculture. We want to open it up. We want families, children, young people and city-based visitors to come to the Showgrounds in Curraheen and leave with a better understanding of modern rural life.

From how farms operate, to how food is produced, how animals are cared for, how machinery is used, and how farming continues to adapt in a changing world.

Cork Summer Show has always been rooted in agriculture. Munster Agricultural Society was founded in 1805, and the first official Cork Summer Show took place in 1810. That history matters. It tells us the show has never been just a weekend event. It has been part of Cork’s social, agricultural and community fabric for generations. But each generation must find new ways to understand and value that heritage. In 2026, one of the most important ways we can do that is through education.

A key addition this year is the Agri Aware Talks and Demonstration Marquee, which will give visitors the chance to engage with agriculture in a direct and practical way. Alongside this, the live working farm experience, milking demonstrations, and machinery displays will bring people closer to the realities of farming life. These are not just attractions; they are opportunities for learning.

There is something very powerful about seeing things happen in front of you. A child can be told where milk comes from, but watching a milking demonstration creates a different kind of understanding. A family can read about food production, but meeting farmers and seeing animals, equipment and techniques up close makes that knowledge real. For city-based visitors in particular, these experiences can help bridge a gap between urban and rural life.

That bridge is badly needed. Cork is a county where city and countryside are deeply connected, yet many people now live at a remove from farming. Agriculture shapes our food, our landscape, our economy, our communities and our culture. It is one of the defining industries of Cork and Ireland, but it is also a living, changing sector that deserves to be better understood.

Modern farming is not a picture frozen in the past. It is skilled, technical and constantly evolving. Farmers today are managing animal welfare, environmental responsibility, business pressures, technology, sustainability and food quality, often all at once. Through the machinery demonstrations, talks and hands-on experiences at Cork Summer Show, visitors will get a glimpse of that complexity and innovation.

At the same time, the Show remains a celebration of tradition. Across the weekend, competitors will take part in livestock, equestrian, poultry, craft, baking, horticulture and home industry classes. These competitions are a vital part of who we are. They recognise skill, dedication and pride, whether that is in breeding, baking, growing, riding, making or showing. They also remind us that agricultural shows are built by people who give their time, expertise and energy year after year.

For me, that is what makes Cork Summer Show so special. It is not only about what is on display; it is about the people behind it. Farmers, competitors, volunteers, organisers, exhibitors, sponsors, local authorities, performers and families all contribute to creating a weekend that belongs to Cork.

The Show brings together people who might not otherwise meet, and it gives families a reason to spend time together while learning something meaningful.

Of course, we also know families come to Cork Summer Show for a great day out, and this year’s line-up reflects that. There will be live entertainment, artisan markets, children’s activities, pony experiences, chick hatchings, tractor displays, floral art, the Kids’ Zone and Funfair, and many returning favourites. New additions such as the Cork Reenactment Military Show, Tug of War Ireland, the RSA Education Truck, a dressage demonstration and rabbits and guinea pigs in the poultry marquee will add even more variety.

But at the centre of it all is a simple idea that family fun and agricultural learning should not be separate. In fact, they work best together. When children are enjoying themselves, they are open to learning. When parents and grandparents can share stories of their own connections to farming, food or rural life, that learning becomes part of a wider family experience.

Accessibility is also important. With large crowds expected, we have worked to make travel to the Showgrounds easier, including the extended Bus Éireann 208 service to the entrance and free shuttle bus options from key locations. If we want more people to engage with agriculture, we have to make it as easy as possible for them to get there.

Cork Summer Show has endured because it has always had the ability to honour its roots while moving with the times. In 2026, that means creating a stronger educational experience for an audience that is increasingly urban, diverse and curious.

My hope is that people will come for the entertainment, the animals, the competitions, the music, the food and the atmosphere, but leave with a better understanding of the work, skill, and care behind modern agriculture.

If even one child goes home asking more questions about where their food comes from, if one family gains a new appreciation for farming, or if one city-based visitor feels more connected to rural Cork, we will have achieved something important. Because Cork Summer Show is not just about looking back at our agricultural heritage. It is about helping the next generation understand why it still matters.

Book your tickets today at www.corksummershow.com.