There is just over a week to go until the new-look Fermanagh County Show takes place at the Castle Irvine Estate, Necarne, near Irvinestown.

The 187th Show, organised by Fermanagh Farming Society, will be an historic occasion in the life of the organisation, founded in 1836.

In 1837, the livestock show was held in the new market yard and of the 26 livestock classes, eight were for horses, 10 for cattle, four for sheep and four for pigs.

This year, on the new Show dates of Friday and Saturday, August 11 and 12, there are hundreds of entries in the livestock section, more than 700 entries in the Home Industries section, and several thousand entries in the Schoolchildren's Section.

There is lucrative prizemoney in most of the cattle breed sections to include dairy, pedigree beef breeds and with a fantastic response in the commercial section.

There are many coveted trophies on offer to the overall winners of each section, and among the new trophies this year is the Curraghkeely Cup, presented by the Edwards family for the champion Irish Moiled animal.

There is a total of £2,000 on offer to farmers in the Suckler Classic and Breeding Heifer Derby classes, launched last year and continuing this year with quality entries once again.

In the sheep section, as well as the popular breeds of Suffolk, Texel and crossbreds, there are six new sheep breeds this year; Swaledale, both types of Cheviots, Spotted Dutch, Blue Texel and Badger Face.

The goats section will have the added attraction of a milking competition, the poultry show is back following a relaxation of the Avian Flu ban, and a new outdoor attraction will be the Pettigo Sheepdog Trials with some 40 dogs competing throughout Saturday.

The extensive site at Necarne, extending to over 200 acres, has plenty of space for car parking on site as well as many new on-site attractions described in later pages.