Author: National Ploughing Association

2020 NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS SET TO RETURN TO BALLINTRANE, FENAGH, CO CARLOW FOLLOWING THE MOST SUCESSFUL YEAR TO DATE

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The NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh announced at the recent ‘Ploughing Prizewinners Awards Banquet’ that the 89th National Ploughing Championships will return again to the superb site in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co Carlow following such as successful event this year.
The site was confirmed as the ideal location for the 2020Championships at the prize-giving ceremony attended by over 500 in Tullow.

Speaking after the announcement the NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “We are delighted to be returning toBallintrane, Fenagh, Co Carlow, as the picturesque siteprovided all of the key criteria required to qualify it as a brilliant place to stage the National Ploughing Championships.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the people of Carlow for all of the goodwill and support this year in running the most successful National Ploughing Championships to date with 297,000 visitors and over 1,700 exhibitors.”

Anna May McHugh also congratulated all of the winners who were awarded at the prize-giving ceremony, and commented “that all of the hard work and training throughout the year has truly paid off so you should all truly enjoy your triumphs.”

Ploughing 2020 for Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co. Carlow. Announcing the site for 2020 are host families with officials and public representatives at the National Ploughing Association awards and banquet in the Mount Wolseley Hotel, Tullow, Sunday 13th October 2019.
Photo: Alf Harvey.

Again John Whelan from Wexford was the overall National Reversible Ploughing Competition winner and Eamonn Tracey the Conventional Ploughing winner and they will compete in World Ploughing Contest in Russia next year.

SUN SETS ON THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS OF ALL TIME

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As the final flow of traffic departs from the car parks this evening, the total attendance figure for the 88th Championships came to a record breaking 297,000 visitors over the 3 days, with exhibitors and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying themselves making this the  most successful National Ploughing Championships to date.

Speaking at the close of business, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said ” Traffic to and from the site has been moving well all week and credit is due to An Garda Síochána and the traffic management plan that was implemented. With record numbers attending, everyone expected to meet some holdups but the traffic was kept flowing at all times with only the very minimum of delays.

We are delighted with the overall attendance figure this year. The three days ran extremely smoothly and everywhere I looked there were cheery smiling faces with all members of the family thoroughly enjoying themselves.”

Taking the opportunity to press the flesh, several Government Ministers, Party Leaders and elected representatives were manning their tents and pouring customary cups of tea.  Some of the nationally recognisable political representatives today included an Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who visited many stands and even took the opportunity to plough a plot.
Other senior politicians included Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed who took the opportunity to hold a media conference in the NPA HQ.  Also among those attending today were the two Michéals, Minister Michéal Ring and the Fianna Fáil leader Michéal Martin.

In the ploughing competition Eamonn Tracey from Carlow won the overall Conventional class, while Wexford man John Whelan won the Reversible Ploughing competition.  Both men will again represent Ireland at the World Ploughing contest in Russia next year

The NPA would like to wish everyone a safe journey home and thank all involved for making this the most memorable Ploughing of all time.

RECORD NUMBER OF 216,OOO VISITORS ATTENDED THE FIRST 2 DAYS OF #PLOUGHING19

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The sun shone bright in a clear blue sky today as 113,500 visitors relished in an electric atmosphere, quite like no other in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co Carlow.  This brings the total attendance so far this week to an all-time record high of 216,000 over the first two days.  Speaking this evening, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “We expected large crowds again today given the positive reports and great feedback received yesterday, the festive spirit was truly alive & well with rural and urban dwellers alike relishing in the joyful mood.

Revelers experienced all of the delights of ‘Ploughing’ such as a unique vintage display, top-class machinery demonstrations, the junior hunt chase, a food fayre, funfair, sheep shearing demos, lifestyle & retail villages, meggers, award winning livestock, craft & cookery competitions and skills, threshing, robot display and much more.

In the afternoon the ever popular Best Dressed ‘County Style’ Lady & the ‘Most Appropriately’ Dressed Gentleman competitions ( Sponsored by Etihad Airways) were hotly contested in the dedicated Fashion Show Marquee.   A Carlow native Liz Farrell beat off stiff competition from the ladies to take the top prize and secure a fabulous prize worth €7,000 including a pair of return flights from Dublin to Abu Dhabi, a four-night stay in luxury 5-Star accommodation and two complimentary passes for the activities and attractions on Yas Island.  The ‘Most Appropriately’ Dressed Gentleman, sponsored by Detail Menswear and Wine Port Lodge, went to Gerry Johnston from Co Clare. He takes home a bespoke custom-made suit and a weekend away in one of Ireland the luxurious Wineport Lodge.

With the final day of the 88th National Championships tomorrow everyone is eagerly anticipating all of tomorrow’s action with World Master Class Ploughers in action.

Glanbia supports Pink at Ploughing!

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Glanbia Chairman Martin Keane along with Glanbia Ireland Corporate Affairs Director Pat O’ Keeffe, presented a cheque for €25,000 to Catherine Wallace, Nurse Coordinator on Breast Health Education and Awareness at Breast Cancer Ireland at the Glanbia Ireland stand at the National Ploughing Championships on Wednesday. The funds were raised by employees and farmer suppliers who took part in the Pink Bales campaign and the Glanbia 300 annual charity cycle. Glanbia is the title sponsor of the Great Pink Run, a major fundraiser organised by Breast Cancer Ireland annually and this year’s event takes place in the Phoenix Park on October 19th and the Castle Park in Kilkenny on October 20th. Register now on www.greatpinkrun.ie