Bigger, Better, and Even More Tail-Waggingly Fun!
Madra Monday is Back
Connolly’s RED MILLS Leader Natural Dog Nutrition are delighted to be hosting Madra Monday once again, as part of the Savour Kilkenny Food Festival on October Bank Holiday Monday the 27th of October from 11-4pm.
It’s no secret we’re dog obsessed – so why not dedicate a whole day to celebrating our four-legged friends?
We’ve planned a fun-filled afternoon for the whole family, packed with amazing talks, special guests, tasty treats & nibbles to try (for dogs only!), a photobooth, face-painting, balloon making, and the main event – the highly anticipated 2025 Connolly’s RED MILLS Leader Dog Show.
And this year, we’re taking things up a notch! We’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new Dog Show Arena, bringing you even more activities and entertainment for dogs and their humans. Expect bigger competitions, more prizes, and even more tail-wagging excitement.
Plus, you’ll have the chance to explore the full range of Connolly’s RED MILLS Leader Natural Dog Nutrition food and treats, with our expert team on hand to answer any questions and help you find the perfect nutrition for your dog.
Madra Monday, proudly hosted by Connolly’s RED MILLS Leader Natural Dog Nutrition, is part of the Savour Kilkenny Food Festival. As one of Ireland’s favourite food festivals, Savour Kilkenny takes place from 24th–27th October, celebrating the amazing produce, food, and culture of Kilkenny and the surrounding rich pasturelands.
don't miss a thing!
Event Schedule
- Doors Open: 12pm (MC Siobhán Donohoe)
Madra Monday Tent:
- Pet Nutrition talk: 12.15pm – 1pm (Connolly’s RED MILLS Chris Ahearn and Jenny Crozier)
- Pet Grooming tips: 1.10pm – 1.45pm (Connolly's RED MILLS Niamh McElhinney)
- Pet Behaviour tips: 1.45pm – 2.30pm (Suzy White IAABC.CDBC)
- Pet Behaviour demonstration: 2.30pm - 3.00pm (Suzy White IAABC.CDBC)
Madra Monday Dog Show Arena:
- Registration Open: 12 – 1.45pm sharp
- Connolly’s Red Mills Leader Dog Show: 2 – 4 pm (MC Siobhán Donohoe)
How to Enter!
Leader Dog Show
We’re excited to bring you this year’s Connolly’s RED MILLS Leader Dog Show, bigger and better than ever before — now with its very own dedicated dog show arena!
Entries are now open for 10 fantastic categories packed with fun, prizes, and heaps of Leader goodies! Categories include everything from Most Pawsome Puppy to Best Fancy Dress — plus Best in Show and Champion Reserve to crown the top dogs of the day.
Categories:
- Most Pawsome Puppy (under 1 year old)
- Best Rescue Dog
- Quickest Sit
- Best Fancy Dress
- Best Golden Oldie
- Best Buds (dog and child under 12)
- Best Hair
- Best Treat Catcher
- Best Waggly Tail
- Best in Show and Champion Reserve
Dog Show Registration Details:
You can enter up to 3 categories per dog. Each category is capped at 30 dogs maximum, so be sure to register early to secure your spot!
The entry fee is €3 per dog, payable at the registration desk when you arrive. Dog show armbands must also be collected on the day at the registration desk, which will be open from 12:00pm to 1:45pm sharp.
The dog show will begin promptly at 2:00pm, so please arrive on time — spaces are limited and categories will fill quickly!
You can pre-register using the online form below, or register on the day — however, we strongly recommend registering in advance. Keep an eye on our socials, as we’ll be updating regularly if categories fill up ahead of time.
We’ll also be accepting additional donations on the day, and all proceeds from the dog show will go directly to our Madra Monday charity partner, Cara Rescue Dogs.
Every dog that enters will receive a Connolly’s RED MILLS goodie bag filled with treats and surprises!
Don’t miss out on this tail-waggingly fun event — we can’t wait to see you and your furry friends in the ring!
Your host - Siobhán Donohoe
We are delighted to have Siobhán Donohoe join us as MC for the day. (@sibhy_d)
Siobhán Donohoe, joint owner of Goresbridge Horse Sale with her husband Ed, is not only a multimedia reporter but also a passionate brand ambassador for Kilkenny Active Club and Arthritis Ireland. As the MC of the Savour Kilkenny Madra Monday event, she’s excited to lead a fun-filled day for your furry four-legged friends.
With her lively energy and infectious enthusiasm, Siobhan is looking forward to making this a tail-wagging, unforgettable day out for dogs and their humans alike!
Your judge - Robert O’Neill
We’re delighted to welcome Robert O’Neill as our judge for this year’s Connolly’s Red Mills Leader Dog Show! Incredibly knowledgeable and with a lifelong love for dogs, Robert has a keen eye for detail and has judged at prestigious dog shows around the world. His deep understanding of canine conformation and characteristics makes him a true standout in the ring — and a firm favourite among fellow dog enthusiasts.
When he’s not surrounded by dogs, Robert is the Creative Director of Striking Productions, a successful Carlow-based theatre company that’s been producing fantastic shows for over 14 years. He also works within the Irish education system, where he supports learning and brings his passion for creativity and development into the classroom and beyond.
With his warmth, experience, and love for dogs, Robert brings the perfect mix of heart and expertise to this year’s event.
Our Madra Monday Charity Partner - Cara Rescue Dogs
We are thrilled to announce that all proceeds and donations from the Leader Dog Show will go directly to Cara Rescue Dogs, supporting their incredible work rescuing and rehoming unwanted and abandoned dogs.
Founded in 2011 by a small group of animal lovers in Co. Laois, Cara Rescue Dogs is a voluntary community group with charitable status. They rescue dogs and place them in loving foster homes until they find their forever families. While based in Laois, their caring fostering network extends across most of Leinster, including Dublin. Since their inception, they have rehomed thousands of dogs and continue to care for many dogs and puppies at any one time.
With compassion at the heart of everything they do, Cara Rescue Dogs is changing lives - one wagging tail at a time.
Pet Behaviourist – Suzy White
IAABC CDBC | The Dog Centre, Kilkenny Suzy White, IAABC CDBC, is a certified dog trainer and behaviour consultant with a qualification from the British College of Canine Studies. For over ten years, she has run The Dog Centre in Kilkenny, offering adventure dog walking, training services, and now behaviour consultations.
Suzy is passionate about promoting welfare-focused, expert advice across the South East of Ireland. In addition to her hands-on work, she writes training and behaviour support articles for various publications, sharing her knowledge and helping dog owners build stronger bonds with their pets.
For more than 100 years, the philosophy and vision of the Connolly family has been to become an industry-leading global name in animal nutrition, well-being and performance solutions. Placing the animal at the centre of everything we do, we are committed to innovation and unmatched quality in our products while listening to and catering for the needs of our valued customers all over the world.
Our naturally delicious dog food is lovingly made in County Kilkenny. With 21 different varieties, we use the highest quality Irish ingredients to make sure that your pet’s meal is delicious, nutritious, and made just for them.
We offer 21 different varieties so no matter your dog’s needs or life stage, we have the food for them.
