Christie Hill, Lauren Sloan and Ellen Smith, all from Randalstown, enjoying their time at this year's Balmoral Show. \ Houston Green

Christie Hill, Lauren Sloan and Ellen Smith, all from Randalstown, enjoying their time at this year's Balmoral Show. \ Houston Green

Thirteen-year-old Kyle Diamond frrom Garvagh was the winner of the young handlers' competition at Balmoral Show. Kyle is pictured here being congratulated by judges Hazel McNee from Dundee and Carleene McKay from Perth. \ Houston Green

Thirteen-year-old Kyle Diamond frrom Garvagh was the winner of the young handlers' competition at Balmoral Show. Kyle is pictured here being congratulated by judges Hazel McNee from Dundee and Carleene McKay from Perth. \ Houston Green

John Robinson from Ballywalter, David Nelson from Larne, James Eccles from Ballymena, Jay Lynsey from Newtownabbey and Alistair Lyndsey from Templepatrick at Balmoral Show. \ Houston Green

John Robinson from Ballywalter, David Nelson from Larne, James Eccles from Ballymena, Jay Lynsey from Newtownabbey and Alistair Lyndsey from Templepatrick at Balmoral Show. \ Houston Green

Oisin Murnion from Kilkeel, Brian Walker from Portadown, Declan Billington of John Thompson's and Tony O'Neill of NIFDA at the Irish Farmers Journal's breakfast briefing at Balmoral Show. \ Houston Green

Oisin Murnion from Kilkeel, Brian Walker from Portadown, Declan Billington of John Thompson's and Tony O'Neill of NIFDA at the Irish Farmers Journal's breakfast briefing at Balmoral Show. \ Houston Green

Robert McCullough of Danske Bank, Dr Alistair Carson from DAERA, Neville Graham of Dale Farm and Gordon Donaldson of Thompson's at the Irish Farmers Journal's breakfast briefing. \ Houston Green

Robert McCullough of Danske Bank, Dr Alistair Carson from DAERA, Neville Graham of Dale Farm and Gordon Donaldson of Thompson's at the Irish Farmers Journal's breakfast briefing. \ Houston Green

Dr Perpetua McNamee of DAERA and Dr Vanessa Woods from Devenish Nutrition at the Irish Farmers Journal's breakfast briefing. \ Houston Green

Dr Perpetua McNamee of DAERA and Dr Vanessa Woods from Devenish Nutrition at the Irish Farmers Journal's breakfast briefing. \ Houston Green

Norbett Coyle from Skryne, Co Meath, along with show stewards Harry Millar from Kells, Co Antrim, and Tom McGuigan from Armagh. \ Houston Green

Norbett Coyle from Skryne, Co Meath, along with show stewards Harry Millar from Kells, Co Antrim, and Tom McGuigan from Armagh. \ Houston Green

Taking time out at the show were Tom Morrow, Brian Hunter from Antrim and Raymond Hunter from Dungannon. \ Houston Green

Taking time out at the show were Tom Morrow, Brian Hunter from Antrim and Raymond Hunter from Dungannon. \ Houston Green

Andrew Kennedy, his sister Catherine and mother Jane, all from Ballyclare, getting their sheep ready. \ Houston Green

Andrew Kennedy, his sister Catherine and mother Jane, all from Ballyclare, getting their sheep ready. \ Houston Green

Darragh McManus from Enniscrone, Co Sligo, preparing his Charolais entry. \ Houston Green

Darragh McManus from Enniscrone, Co Sligo, preparing his Charolais entry. \ Houston Green

Jane Kilpatrick from Downpatrick Women's Institute, Colette Craig from Derry Women's Institute, Margaret Kelso from Pomeroy Women's Institute and Lesley Dowds of Ballysallagh Women's Institute.. \ Houston Green

Jane Kilpatrick from Downpatrick Women's Institute, Colette Craig from Derry Women's Institute, Margaret Kelso from Pomeroy Women's Institute and Lesley Dowds of Ballysallagh Women's Institute. \ Houston Green

Willeen Montgomery and Lachlan Henry, both from Comber, preparing their Dexters. \ Houston Green

Willeen Montgomery and Lachlan Henry, both from Comber, preparing their Dexters. \ Houston Green

Alex Montgomery from Ballycastle, along with Nuala and Bronagh Mullan from Castlerock, all set for the first day of Balmoral Show. \ Houston Green

Alex Montgomery from Ballycastle, along with Nuala and Bronagh Mullan from Castlerock, all set for the first day of Balmoral Show. \ Houston Green

Pupils from Rainey Endowed School in Magherafelt, one of the finalists in the ABP Angus Youth Challenge, after being presented with their calves at Balmoral Show. Pictured are Kelly Stewart, Ross Fleming, Anna Doole and Gary Thompson. after being presented with their calves. \ Houston Green

Pupils from Rainey Endowed School in Magherafelt, one of the finalists in the ABP Angus Youth Challenge, after being presented with their calves at Balmoral Show. Pictured are Kelly Stewart, Ross Fleming, Anna Doole and Gary Thompson. after being presented with their calves. \ Houston Green

Lewis Adamson from Bangor with his reserve heavy breed Bantam, along with stewards David Thompson from Carryduff, Andrew Bingham from Kilkeel and David Small from Gilnahirk. \ Houston Green

Lewis Adamson from Bangor with his reserve heavy breed Bantam, along with stewards David Thompson from Carryduff, Andrew Bingham from Kilkeel and David Small from Gilnahirk. \ Houston Green

John Elliott from Newtownstewart with the Saler champion at Balmoral Show. \ Houston Green

John Elliott from Newtownstewart with the Saler champion at Balmoral Show. \ Houston Green

Patrick Donnelly from Rathkenny with his pen of champion mules. \ Houston Green

Patrick Donnelly from Rathkenny with his pen of champion mules. \ Houston Green

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Around the country in pictures

This week in photos: Birr and Ballinasloe Marts and Kilbeggan Racing