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Numbers attending hit an all-time record high today with just over 127,000 passing through the gates of the Championships in Ratheniska. This is an increase of 49,500 on yesterday bringing the total attendance so far this week to 204,500. Speaking this evening, NPA Managing Director Ms Anna May McHugh said “We expected large crowds again today given the positive reports and great feedback received yesterday, however, I don’t think anyone would have predicted today’s attendance figure. The feedback from exhibitors so far is that business is extremely vibrant and those I spoke with said sales are already well ahead of their 3 day target figures. “

In the afternoon, the ever popular Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gentleman Competitions were hotly contested in the dedicated Fashion Show Marquee. Gillian Kelliher from Cork beat off stiff competition from the ladies to take the top prize and secure an exclusive break in the famous G Hotel in Galway worth €3,000. The Most Appropriately Dressed Gentleman, sponsored by Louis Copeland & Sons and Wine Port Lodge, went to Raymond Gilmon. He takes home a beautifully tailored suit by the award winning tailor and a weekend away in one of Ireland most luxurious hotels, the Wineport Lodge.

Anna May McHugh joined Finbarr Furey on stage to rapturous applause at the bandstand to launch “The Wild Goose Lodge” film, which will debut next year.

Attending today, Taoiseach Enda Kenny took the opportunity to wish the World Ploughing Conventional Champion Eamonn Tracey from Carlow the best of luck as he departs at the end of the week with current Bronze Reversible winner to defend their current titles in Denmark. Congratulating the NPA on another successful year, he paid tribute to Ms Anna May McHugh, the NPA, staff and the several hundred volunteers needed to host the event.

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 Tánaiste Joan Burton TD., Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Simon Coveney T.D., Leader of Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin T.D and Ministers’ of State Tom Hayes and Ann Phelan.

With high-spirits all around, everyone is eagerly anticipating all of tomorrow’s Ploughing action.

The 84Th National Ploughing Championships Kick Off With A Bang

Despite the previous heavy rain, the weather picked up as the crowds gathered from all over Ireland for the 84th National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois. The sun beamed down as the crowds of 77,500 enjoyed a fantastic, action packed day for all the family.

With clear blue skies throughout the day, shoppers and agricultural enthusiasts joined celebrities and politicians on the 25 kilometres of track way.

>From farming to fashion, artisan foods to top-of-the range machinery the very best of what Ireland has to offer was on display today for people of all interests to enjoy.

An extended Trade Arena saw the return of the popular Tented Trade Village with demand necessitating the biggest Arcade ever “the Dome”, with up to 112 exhibitors displaying in the one arena plus hundreds more located in additional specialist Pavilions.

The NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “the feedback from exhibitors so far is that business is extremely vibrant and those I spoke with today said sales are already well ahead of what they predicted. This is very positive for both rural Ireland and the wider economy.”

“With the sun shining down on all things Ploughing today, reports are that tomorrow is shaping up to be another action packed day at “largest outdoor event in Europe.”

With just under two weeks to go to the staging of one of Europe’s largest outdoor events, preparations at the site in Ratheniska are well under way for this year’s National Ploughing Championships. Today, the national media were treated to an exciting preview of what to expect, as the event was officially launched on the Co. Laois site.

Launching the event, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “The Championships not only provides a national stage for showcasing all things agricultural, but also brings together people from all sectors of Irish society both rural and urban, to enjoy three days immersed in country living”.

“Many visitors to the event take the three days out in late September to have a well-earned break from their daily working lives, particularly following one of the busiest times in the farming calendar, the harvest”.

“Returning annually, the event has been responsible for the forging of many lifelong friendships.”

Food, fashion and farming were the flare of the day as ploughing enthusiasts, public representatives including the Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan and photographic journalists got a flavour of all that “Ploughing” has to offer.

For Machinery addicts, the NPC trade arena goes unrivalled. All the top brands will be showcasing the latest makes and models on the market. Today guests along with some of Ireland’s top models took the opportunity to inspect the site and try out some of the tractors/machinery on site.

Motoring exhibits have increased by 20% this year and the International element is incredibly strong with countries from all over the world represented; exhibitors from the UK, Germany, New Zealand, France, Netherlands and USA; visiting delegations from China, Austria, Spain and South Africa, . There will also be several Ambassadors including the American Ambassador Kevin O’Malley and the French Ambassador Jean Pierre Thebault in attendance.

Several new dimensions will see a French Business Pavilion, a Young Innovator Bursary to a European trade fair and an International Business Centre in the Innovation Arena.

Education will also feature significantly at this year’s event with 17 colleges exhibiting between Ireland and the UK.

The Science Foundation of Ireland will run a variety of interactive science shows and workshops for event goers of all age groups for example Science magic shows, microscope workshops etc.  These exciting shows and workshops are currently being developed by researchers in Science Foundation Ireland Funded Research Centres and will include walk in and bookable events.

Up to 200,000 visitors are expected to descend on the 800 acre site with over 1,500 stands.

This makes the 2015 National Ploughing Championships the biggest yet and one of the market leading Agriculture Trade Fairs worldwide.

Farming Independent To Partner With The NPA To Provide Valuable Shuttle Service At This Year’s Ploughing

The Farming Independent will sponsor the trailer shuttle service at this year’s Ploughing Championships, which will transport thousands of visitors to and from their cars, constantly throughout the 3-days, in comfort and ease. The NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “with over 279,000 visitors attending last year’s event the shuttle service provides a real benefit transporting patrons to the carparks.”

The Farming Independent is delighted to sponsor the trailer shuttle service for this year’s Ploughing Championships and are pleased to be giving people a helping hand to get to the National Ploughing Championship. It’s such an important event on the farming calendar.

The Editor of the Farming Independent Louise Hogan said “From September the 8^th, we’re expanding the Farming Independent to help keep farmers one step ahead, the new look supplement is a practical, hands-on guide to help farmers with their farming business. In the lead up to the National Ploughing Championship the Farming Independent will have full coverage of the Ploughing including a map of the stands.”

Tickets are now available by phoning 059 8625125. Special student and group rates apply to pre-event orders and don’t forget kids under 12 are free and parking is free.