Partake of the atmosphere of the Balmoral Show

With this year's Balmoral Show cancelled, we look back on Shows of yesteryear, as depicted in the Digital Film Archive.

From the mid to late 19th century, the Royal Ulster Agricultural show was held in the centre of Belfast. It was originally a small affair but grew in popularity year-on-year. By the end of the 20th century, it was clear that a new location would need to be found for the event. The showgrounds at Balmoral were purchased in 1894 and the inaugural Balmoral Show held in 1896.

Down the years, the Balmoral Show has been a lively, colourful staple of Northern Irish life, full of hustle and bustle, impressing and entertaining the crowds, as evocatively depicted in this Northern Ireland Tourist Board footage from 1956. 

Spread over fifty acres, the show diversified, as captured in this Roundabout (UTV) report from 1966, exhibiting agricultural equipment and livestock not only from Ireland, but from the UK and international markets, alongside fashion shows and displays of household items and all manner of exotic livestock.