Up to 60,000 people have attended the 24th annual National Livestock Show at Tullamore in Co Offaly today.

The show is the largest one-day event of its kind and is a celebration of all things related to country life and agriculture in Ireland.

The event was formally opened by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney at midday.

Mr Coveney said: "Agricultural shows such as this one in Tullamore play an important role in the social calendar of the farming community.

"They allow farmers to meet their friends and fellow farmers and discuss the latest development in farming and agri-food business.

"This is all the more relevant now the sector is such a key driver of economic growth and export earnings."

There were over 8 hectares of tented pavilions, six catering villages, and stands covering everything from agriculture, home, garden, fashion, food, forestry, energy, travel, property, and more.

The event has had to be cancelled three times in recent years. Once in 2001 due to foot and mouth disease and twice again in 2007 and 2008 because of bad weather.