The Balmoral Show 2025, the biggest agricultural show in Northern Ireland, takes place this week from Wednesday (May 14) to Saturday (May 17).
Ahead of the event, the show organiser, the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) has provided information for people travelling to the event, including for those travelling by car and by public transport.
The Balmoral showgrounds are located just outside Lisburn, near the boundary between counties Antrim and Down, about 13km southwest of Belfast city centre.
The nearest train station is Lisburn train station, about 15 minutes from the showground, from which a complimentary shuttle service to the event site will run.
The organisers have said that they operate a strict ‘no dogs’ policy at the Balmoral Show, with the exception of dogs taking part in displays or verified assistance dogs.
Visitors with dogs will not be able to enter the show and dogs are not permitted to stay in the car parks due to the risk of heat exhaustion.
For those travelling by public transport, the free shuttle bus service will operate from Lisburn Train Station to the Eikon Exhibition Centre, where the show takes place. The estimated journey time on the days of the show is approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
The first shuttle bus will leave the train station at 9:00a.m each morning, with the final returning shuttle bust departing the showgrounds each evening as follows:
- Wednesday (May 14) – 6:30p.m;
- Thursday (May 15) – 8:30p.m;
- Friday (May 16) – 7:30p.m;
- Saturday (May 17) – 6:30p.m.
NI (Northern Ireland) Railways and Enterprise Railways (which runs between Dublin and Belfast) will be making additional stops at Lisburn Train Station to help travelers avail of the shuttle bus service.
If travelling by car, visitors are advised to allow plenty of time for their journey and, if possible avoid peak times such as rush hour.
Those travelling from the west or northwest of Lisburn are advised to take the Northern Ireland M1 (which runs between Belfast and Dungannon in Co. Tyrone), exiting at junction 8, and then following the signage.
Those travelling from the Lisburn itself should take the Moira Road out of the city and follow the signage.
If travelling from Belfast or the north east of Northern Ireland, you should travel south on the Northern Ireland M1, coming off at Sprucefield and following the signage.
Motorists travelling from the south should take the A1 dual carriageway (which is a continuation of the Republic of Ireland’s M1/N1 motorway), and then follow the signage.
Car parking is available on the showgrounds at a daily rate of €10 per car. Car parking must be paid by cash only, on the day of your visit.
