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Energy provider Share Energy has announced its sponsorship of this year's Newry Agricultural Show as organisers warn that rising costs continue to put pressure on agricultural events across Northern Ireland.
Now in its 156th year, the Newry Agricultural Show takes place on Saturday, 27 June 2026 at Derrywilligan Road, Bessbrook, with gates opening at 9am. The show welcomes more than 3,500 attendees, 500 livestock competitors and 100 trade stands, delivering an estimated £115,000 in local economic impact. Share Energy will serve as Gold Sponsor of the event.
Brian Lockhart, Chair of the Newry Agricultural Show, said the value of such events extends well beyond a single day. "These events bring real value, not only for farmers but for the wider public as well. It's about bringing people together, sharing best practice in agriculture and giving urban audiences a chance to see what rural life is really like."
Lockhart said financial pressures remain a real challenge for show organisers. "We're all under financial pressure. Whether you're a small show like ours or a larger one, you still must find the money to run it. Costs have gone up significantly since COVID, and they haven't come back down."
Sponsorship is essential to keeping the show viable. "We couldn't run a show without sponsors like Share Energy. When companies support events like this, it raises the professionalism of the show and allows us to deliver a better experience for everyone." Lockhart added. The company have also sponsored Ballymoney Show this year.
Ailbhe McCusker, Community Champion at Share Energy, said the company's involvement goes beyond sponsorship. "Agricultural shows are at the heart of rural life in Northern Ireland. They're not just events; they're essential meeting points where people connect, businesses engage and important conversations happen."
McCusker added that energy underpins the challenges facing rural businesses even when it is not the main focus. "Even where energy isn't front and centre, it still underpins everything, from rising operational costs to the pressures facing exhibitors and organisers. We see our role as helping rural businesses navigate those challenges and build long-term resilience."
"Shows provide a rare opportunity to have face-to-face conversations in a setting where people feel at ease," she said. "That's incredibly valuable when it comes to supporting farmers and rural businesses with something as important, and often complex, as energy. We're proud to support events like the Newry Agricultural Show and Ballymoney Show. They play a vital role in sustaining rural life, and we're committed to being part of that future."
