Author: National Ploughing Association

Applications open for County Carlow companies to be part of inCarlow Pavilion for the 2019 National Ploughing Championships

Over a quarter of million people are expected to descend on County Carlow during 2018 for the National Ploughing Championships in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co Carlow on 17th-19th September 2019 and today (2nd April 2019) , Carlow County Council opened applications for the inCarlow – Enterprise , Education , Experience & Tourism Pavilion which will showcase County Carlow at the Centre of the National Ploughing Championships trade arena during the 2019 show.
County Carlow companies can apply to be part of this showcase which is highly subsidized with support from Carlow County Council which includes a programme in order to prepare companies to make the most of the show which includes Exhibition Training , PR Support & Photography for all clients who participate. The project is in partnership with IT Carlow & County Carlow Chamber.

Speaking about the project Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council , Cllr. Brian O’Donoghue said that “the pavilion will show visitors all that is great about County Carlow from an enterprise , education , experience and tourism viewpoint and collectively shout from the rooftops that County Carlow is a place for people who have ambition , innovation and success in all walks of life”. O’Donoghue continued to say “This initiative is a major element of Carlow County Council’s work to capitalise on the fantastic opportunity presented by the National Ploughing Championships to attract tourists and investment to the county”
Kathleen Holohan, Chief Executive, Carlow County Council, said that “We want to present County Carlow in the best positive light to visitors, media and participants during the National Ploughing Championships. We are delighted with the location of the inCarlow – Enterprise , Education , Experience & Tourism Pavilion right in the heart of the trade stands and expect to welcome thousands of visitors to our pavilion over the course of the championships”.
National Ploughing Association Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “the NPA are pleased to be partnering with the inCarlow Exhibition as supporting rural communities and jobs is very important to the Association and the Ploughing Championships.  We also appreciate that #Ploughing19 is an ideal platform to showcase many of the local talents of our communities and we are delighted to be working with Carlow County Council and its partners on this project.”

Speaking about the benefits of the National Ploughing Championships to the local economy , Brian O’Farrell , Chief Executive of County Carlow Chamber said “there is no doubt that the National Ploughing Championships will provide a significant economic benefit to County Carlow and its business community not just during the exhibition but also in the run up to the event during September 2019” , O’Farrell continued to say “the inCarlow Pavilion” offers us all in the business community an opportunity to capitalize on this opportunity into the future and showcase Carlow’s strengths from a business viewpoint”.

Bookings are now open for exhibition space for County Carlow companies on www.localenterprise.ie/carlow and further information is available from Aine Carey on 059-9129783 or by e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie

Applications Open for the Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championships
Top prize fund of €15,000 for overall winner of the Innovation Arena 2019

Applications for the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena and Awards at the National Ploughing Championships, in conjunction with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) are now being accepted. Irish agri companies are invited to apply to showcase their products and innovations at the Innovation Arena from the 17th – 19th September at the National Ploughing Championships in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co. Carlow.

The Innovation Arena is open to Irish businesses large and small and entrepreneurs within the agri-sector, giving them the opportunity to showcase their pioneering innovations to over one hundred thousand visitors that the National Ploughing Championships attracts each year.
Judging for the awards will take place at the arena throughout the three-day event featuring categories such as best agri-technology start-up, best agri-engineering established company, young innovator of the year and best agri-environmental enterprise. The over-all exhibiting winner of the Arena will be eligible to win up to €15,000 and will be presented with the prize at a formal awards ceremony during the National Ploughing Championships.

Last year’s competition attracted over 100 entries: 60 were shortlisted as 2018 finalists and invited to exhibit in the Innovation Arena Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD said:

“I am delighted to launch the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championships. The government through Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting regionally based companies and entrepreneurs and our focus through the Future Jobs framework is to ensure Irish Companies are resilient in the face of new challenges and embrace new opportunities and technologies. The Innovation Arena is clear proof that Ireland is leading the way for innovation in the agri-engineering and agri-technology sector and I encourage all budding entrepreneurs and established enterprises in the field to enter what is a fantastic showcase platform at this prime three-day event.”

Mark Christal, Manager, Regions and Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Ireland said: “Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting companies and entrepreneurs with global ambition where innovation is at the core of their business offering – the Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championships is a key platform for promoting the Irish Advantage where the top innovations are showcased to both a captive domestic and international audience. Over 100 international buyers visited the arena last year and we expect this number to increase for 2019.”
In addition, this year’s Arena will feature a conference centre, delivering a focused briefing on the Agritech sector in Ireland, hosting seminars on key issues affecting the agri-sector including Brexit and Global markets and will facilitate important networking opportunities for those attending,” he continued.

Enterprise Ireland is calling for applications for the Innovation Arena Awards at the National Ploughing Championships from Irish companies in the agri sector. The awards will take place within the popular Innovation Arena at the heart of the National Ploughing Championships in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co Carlow, 17th – 19th September 2019. Pictured are Anna May McHugh, Managing Director, National Ploughing Association; Mark Christal, Manager of Enterprise Ireland’s Regions and Entrepreneurship Division; Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD.
Picture by Shane O’Neill, SON Photographic

Anna May McHugh, National Ploughing Association said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Enterprise Ireland to host the Innovation Arena for the 5th consecutive year. The Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championships is an opportunity not to be missed for anyone who has a good business idea, product or service to showcase at Europe’s largest outdoor event. Located at the core of the activity, the Innovation Arena will attract tens of thousands of visitors over the three days where an exhibitor is guaranteed prime positioning in front of a targeted stakeholder audience.”

Click HERE to enter this year’s Innovation Arena Awards

Congratulations have been pouring in from all over the country for the victorious Irish Ploughing team.

At the weekend’s European Ploughing Championships, which took place in Ballinaboola, Co Wexford where 13 countries took part the Irish team were triumphant yet again with Martin Kehoe & Dan Donnelly both from Wexford winning gold in the conventional and reversible competitions respectively and Brian Mahon from Offaly securing  a silver medal position on the final day and fourth place position overall in the reversible class.

The 36^th European Ploughing Championships will take place in Springpark, Ballinaboola, Co Wexford, making it the place to be on March 30^th & 31^st.  With 33 competitors and over 200 European visitors between competitors, judges, coaches and supporters descending on Ireland there will be a truly international flavour.  With teams starting to arrive from 22^nd from 13 countries; Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Russia, Scotland, Switzerland and Wales, the competition will be very keen.

The NPA last hosted the European Event in 2011 but this will be a first for NPA to host the competition as a stand-alone event and the first time NPA have introduced a Conventional Class as well as the traditional European Reversible.  

Team Ireland will be represented by previous World Ploughing Champion Martin Kehoe from Wexford in the conventional class, European Grassland Champion Russia 2018 Dan Donnelly from Wexford and former European Medal Winner Brian Mahon from Offaly.   The team will be coached by Dermot Ryan from Offaly and the Irish judges will be Pat McKeown from Louth and Joe Slattery from Tipperary.

The members of the 6 Wexford Ploughing Clubs are heavily involved in the organising of the event, marking out plots, organising tractors and ploughs for visiting competitors, arranging parking and providing a number of stewards on the 2 days.

This will be a real ploughing enthusiast event with the focus on Ploughing – with a ploughing workshop on the eve of the event and then the focus turning to the 2 European Competitions on Saturday and Sunday with a small vintage exhibition as well as Horse and Vintage Ploughing demonstrations.  There will also be a carnival and live music to entertain all of the family.

The Championships will commence on Saturday March 30th with a parade of all competitors representing their countries to the official opening complete with the Raising of the Flags Ceremony & Blessing of the Grounds at 9.30am, the competition will take place from 11.30am to 3.30pm on both days concluding on Sunday March 31^st.   This is a great opportunity for Ireland and certainly an occasion that is not be missed.