Category: 2013 Archive

From Tuesday 24th to Thursday 26th of September RTÉ will once again be in the thick of the action at the 81st National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Stradbally Co Laois. RTÉ will be bringing visitors and audiences at home an eclectic mix of programmes and activity from the event, from news, to sport, lifestyle and music, across TV, Radio, Online and Mobile.
Two of Ireland’s biggest news programmes will broadcast live from the event. Morning Ireland comes live at 7am on Tuesday and the Six One News, co-presented by Sharon Ní Bheoláín, will also be live from the event, bookended on Thursday as Bryan Dobson dons his wellies to co-present on the final evening of the event. In addition there will be regular reports on RTÉ News bulletins throughout the event, as well as live updates on Morning Edition and News2Day. Nuacht will also be broadcasting live each day from the RTÉ exhibition area.
RTÉ Radio 1, 2fm, lyric and RnaG too will be on the ground from the off. On Tuesday, Tubridy, on RTÉ 2fm at 9am, takes a look at the lighter side to this major national event and Hector gets a lie in, as he takes over at the later than usual time of 11am.
On the following day (Wednesday 25th) Today with Sean O’Rourke makes its first trip to the National Ploughing Championships and at 7pm Nationwide devotes an entire programme to the best of the Ploughing 2013. And it wouldn’t be RTÉ at the Ploughing Championships without Liveline and the ‘Funny Thursday’ crew live from 3pm (Thursday 26th).
In addition to on-air content audiences are invited to come along to the RTÉ exhibition space where there will be a host of activities for visitors of all ages. Get a sneak peek at what’s in store on the Today programme this year as Daithí O’Sé and Maura Derrane launch their new season, presenting a blend of lifestyle items, especially for visitors to the RTÉ exhibition area, including a cookery demonstration with Paul Flynn, a live performance from Tommy Fleming, fashion show, and a special ‘ploughing’ makeover. Also confirmed in the packed schedule are Michael Lyster and The Sunday Game panellists Michael Duignan and Kevin McStay who will lead an interactive panel discussion in what is set to be a bumper September for the GAA.
And there’s plenty more in store: live music with an RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta seisiún, George Hamilton with the Chatham Quartet, the chance for visitors to try their hand at being a radio presenter with lyric fm Outreach, or a TV weather presenter with Weather Wannabes, children’s storytelling with RTÉjr, and RTÉ Archives is dusting off the film cans and showing a visual presentation of RTÉ output through the years.
The RTÉ Guide will be on sale at a special Ploughing Championships price of €1 which includes the chance to take away your very own RTÉ Guide cover.

From Le Dakar to Ireland – How VB-Air Suspension was put to the test in the toughest of terrains

Le Dakar; the toughest endurance rally in the world, often referred to as ‘the last great adventure’, is widely regarded as one of the harshest proving grounds for vehicles, their passengers and equipment. So when VB-Airsuspension offered to kit out two Dakar Press Team  4 x 4 vehicles and four of the trucks competing in the event, there were some raised eyebrows. After all, there’s a world of difference between smoothing out the bumps on the roads in Ireland and Europe, and smoothing the impact of mile after mile of potholes, rocks, sand dunes and unformed road tracks interspersed with almost impassable stretches of swirling water and undulating parched desert, with huge temperature variations – for 12 hours per day over 3 intensive weeks.

Leon Jansen, a member of the Le Dakar Press Team commented “Our Volkswagen Amarok was upgraded with VB-Coilsprings on the front suspension and a full VB-FullAir 2C kit on the rear suspension. We were carrying four big Explorer cases packed with photo gear and Apple computers; delicate and expensive gear. That’s why I’m so enthusiastic about the air suspension. Our gear is precious and costs a lot of money. If it’s damaged and you’re in the middle of a desert you can’t get a replacement. We finished Le Dakar with our equipment intact and our team feeling physically fit. The ride was smooth, safe and comfortable but still exhilarating.”

As a recent entrant to the Irish market, VB-Air Suspension have chosen to exhibit their brand new range of Full Air and Semi Air products suitable for 4 x 4  and Pickup vehicles at the National Ploughing Championships being held at Ratheniska, Co.Laois, from Tuesday 24^th September to Thursday 26^th September. This new product range comes to the market after the toughest of tests in Le Dakar 2013 and offers many advantages such as ; increased comfort , constant ride height irrespective of load, improved stability with reduced body roll and enhanced safety levels, to name but a few.  David Byrne, the VB appointed dealer for Ireland says “ Our air suspension systems were more than up to the job in Le Dakar which means they can handle the toughest and harshest road conditions any Light Commercial Vehicle or 4×4 vehicle and driver will be subjected to in this country . At the National Ploughing Championships we are looking forward to discussing the benefits of the various VB-Airsuspension products with visitors.  We will have our new Semi-Air Comfort kit installed on the rear axle of a Nissan Navara as well as a Volkswagen Transporter T5 fitted with electronically controlled Full Air suspension on both front and rear axles.”

Harvesting with FRS @ the Ploughing 2013

[Stand U340]

FRS Network (Farm Relief Services) have been exhibiting at the Ploughing for the past 30 years and this year have a host of  agri-focused initiatives and launches to attract the interests of farmers  and more importantly help improve their working lives. The theme of the FRS stand is all about ‘Harvesting’ and how farmers can harvest with FRS now and into the future.

FRS is the stand to go to for information and advice from leading    industry experts. The topics of Fodder Management, CAP Reform, Expansion and Finance will be presented by speakers such as John Donworth of Teagasc, Peter Young of the Farmers Journal, Mairead McGuinness  MEP, Tom Hayes, Jnr.Minister for Agriculture, Pat Dillon of Teagasc, Matt Dempsey, Former Editor of the Farmers Journal.

FRS are launching a series of new innovate products, membership benefits and services at the Ploughing.

Highlights at FRS Stand (U340) Include:

• Expert Speakers Stage; bringing topical information to farmers in an open forum.
• Herdwatch; an exciting new mobile herd manager, plus an FRS exclusive O2 smartphone deal.
• Competitions; iPads, Training vouchers and Farm Services Benefits as well as special show offers.
• FRS Membership Benefit Scheme; giving farmers the chance to sign up to the new enhanced supports and benefits at a special offer rate.
• Best Practice Milking Course with training DVD and tailored training courses for farmers.
• FRS Hoofwatch; which will capture and report vital hoof care information.
• Live Safe Tractor Driving Skill Challenges and Demonstrations to engage our youth.
• Stokbord; an innovative versatile and durable recycled plastic sheeting product.
• Careers @ FRS; demonstrating the high level of operator training and development and welcoming new recruits.
• FRS and Height for Hire; showing what ‘Height with Hands for Hire’ could bring to farmers.
• The FRS Homecare team will be available to talk about their services in the home.

 “This year’s ploughing is going to showcase FRS at its very best and demonstrate how FRS are providing innovative practical products and services to help farmers to expand and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead through Harvest 2020. I welcome you all for a cup of tea and a chat at our stand” said Peter Byrne, CEO, FRS Network

Be sure to make a stop to the FRS stand (U340) and find out how FRS can help you harvest to 2020 and beyond.

Visit www.frsnetwork.ie

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board have again arranged to exhibit at the National Ploughing Championships for 2013. Representatives from various parts of the Province will be on hand to help you plan your next break in Northern Ireland including promotional offers from Derry~Londonderry, Titanic Belfast, Fermanagh and Newry and Mourne. Come along to the NITB stand to be in with a chance to win some amazing prizes!

It is a legenderry year with a huge programme of events in Derry~Londonderry as the Maiden City hosts the first ever UK City of Culture. The year-long programme will bring an outpouring of cultural activity to venues across the city. Host to the G8 Summit in June, Fermanagh is the county famous for its breathtaking Lakelands, rugged landscape and wealth of historic sites; the perfect place for Irish holidaymakers to visit this summer.

Stunning landscapes, charming villages, bustling towns and an exciting city- all to be found in the Newry and Mourne area while just a few miles up the road is the £97 million visitor attraction; the Titanic Belfast, an unmissable visit in any tour of Northern Ireland. It is located in the heart of Belfast, on the slipways where RMS Titanic was built.

We will have a mountain bike simulator on our stand giving visitors the chance to experience bike trails and the ability to win a mountain bike day out in NI. We will also be running a separate competition through onsite iPads whilst promoting tourist attractions and events over the coming months.

To find out more about Northern Ireland contact the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on callsave 1850 230 230 or click on www.discovernorthernireland.com

NITB is responsible for the development of tourism and the marketing of Northern Ireland as a tourist destination to visitors within Northern Ireland and from the Republic of Ireland.