Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend welcomes over 13,000 visitors behind the farm gates
Organisers of the Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend have hailed this year’s event as a resounding success, with over 13,238 visitors attending farms across Northern Ireland from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June 2026.
Marking its 15th anniversary, the milestone event once again brought together schoolchildren, families and rural communities, offering a unique opportunity to experience life on a working farm and gain a deeper understanding of how food is produced locally.
Delivered by the Ulster Farmers’ Union and proudly supported by Bank of Ireland as title sponsor, the weekend saw farms across Northern Ireland open their gates to showcase the very best in local farming life, animal care and food production.
From animal encounters and machinery displays to local food tastings and interactive demonstrations, visitors of all ages enjoyed hands-on experiences while learning about the journey from farm to fork.
Reflecting on the success of the event, John McLenaghan, President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, said:
“To welcome over 13,000 visitors to farms across Northern Ireland in our 15th year is a fantastic achievement. Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend continues to play a vital role in connecting the public with the realities of modern farming.
The enthusiasm we’ve seen from families, young people and visitors of all ages highlights the strong interest in where food comes from and the important work our farmers do every day. I want to thank every host farm for their commitment and hard work. Although this was a weekend event the planning has been months in the making and the result was a fantastic community event for all our visitors.”
The event also continues to play a key role in strengthening relationships between the agricultural sector and the wider community.
Diane McCall, Senior Business Manager at Bank of Ireland UK, added:
“This year’s Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend has been a tremendous success, and it’s been inspiring to see so many people stepping behind the farm gate to connect with farming and food production.
Reaching over 13,000 visitors is a clear reflection of the value people place on understanding the origins of their food and supporting local producers. We are proud to support an initiative that not only celebrates the vital contribution of the agri-food industry but also helps build lasting connections between farmers and the communities they serve.”
A key highlight of the weekend was the strong engagement from young people, particularly during the schools’ programme on Friday, where pupils had the chance to explore farms in an educational and interactive setting.
With a mix of longstanding farming families, innovative young farmers, and a growing role for women in agriculture, the event showcased the diversity and future potential of Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector.
Following the overwhelming success of this year’s event, organisers are already looking ahead to 2027, with ambitions to build further on the strong attendance and positive feedback received from visitors and participating farms.
One visitor shared:
“We enjoyed Ballylagan yesterday and Greenmount today. Brilliant as always!”
The continued success of Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend reinforces its position as one of Northern Ireland’s largest and most important celebrations of farming, food and rural life.