royal ulster agricultural society partnership
2024 has been a whirlwind year and we've been thrilled to roll-out a suite of five websites for the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society
Each site is designed to showcase a unique aspect of the Society's diverse events and initiatives. So let's dive into the background and see how they connect with this vibrant community.
The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) was formed in 1854 following the Great Famine. Originally embracing the counties of Down, Antrim, Armagh and Monaghan, the Society's main objective was to promote and improve agriculture in the north of Ireland. Today, the Society comprises of over 2,000 members and 25 staff. It has been granted charitable status and its income is applied towards the promotion of Agriculture within Northern Ireland, as well as promoting industry, art, science and literature.
Although RUAS.org.uk was the first site Silverink launched, it now pulls data from the four other websites to serve as a virtual RUAS hub. It's packed with latest news, events and resources for farmers and agricultural enthusiasts across Northern Ireland, making it easier than ever to help promote agricultural life across Northern Ireland.
The Society hosts three large events every year to help promote agriculture: the Balmoral Show (May), the Royal Ulster Premier Beef and Lamb Championships (November) and the Royal Ulster Winter Fair (December). Through these shows, the agri-food industry shares good practice, offers instruction and celebrates the success of local businesses.
The Beef & Lamb website is dedicated to celebrating the best in local beef and lamb production. Packed with resources for farmers, it includes the latest industry news, event schedules and competition results. It highlights the importance of local produce and offers valuable insights into farming practices, quality standards and the benefits of choosing local meats. Whether you're looking to showcase prize cattle or stay updated on market trends, the Beef & Lamb website has you covered.
Next up, the Winter Fair site showcases one of the highlights of the agricultural calendar in Northern Ireland. This event is a true celebration of the farming community, featuring livestock competitions, local food stalls and lots of festive cheer. It's not just about farming - it's about coming together as a community in order to support local agriculture.
The annual Balmoral Show needs no introduction. A cornerstone of Northern Ireland's agricultural landscape, it attracts over 120,000 visitors each year. It's a fantastic showcase of everything from livestock to local produce, with over 600 exhibitors and a jam-packed schedule of events. The show highlights the very best of the agricultural community and is a fantastic day out for families with thrilling entertainment and educational exhibits. The new website helps support the Show with maps, trade stand information, competition results and live-streamed coverage. If you haven't experienced it yet, mark your calendars for next year's show.
Last but not least, in addition to hosting these events, RUAS owns the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn. Since opening in 2015, the venue has grown into Northern Ireland's largest events campus and now boasts over 10,000 sqm of adaptable indoor events space on 65 acres of land. The venue can be tailored to suit the client's requirements and RUAS staff are there to support from initial booking through to the close of each event. The Eikon site is all about showcasing these fantastic events throughout the year.
With these five websites, Silverink not only helps enhance RUAS's online presence, but creates vibrant digital spaces to reflect the energy and passion within Northern Ireland's agricultural community. We are very proud to be part of RUAS's journey and look forward to seeing it flourish and develop.