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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 the 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 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 several guests along with some of Ireland’s top models from the Holman Lee modelling agency took the opportunity to inspect and test drive some of tractors/machinery on site.

There was a great welcome for World Ploughing Conventional Champion, Carlow man Eamonn Tracey and his republic of Ireland team mate John Whelan who successfully secured bronze at the recent World Ploughing Contest in France. The NPA were also delighted to confirm that now both World Ploughing Champions will be attending the 2014 Ploughing Championships as the Reversible winner, Andrew Mitchell from Scotland will be judging at this year’s event.

Up to 200,000 visitors are expected to descend on the 800 acre site with over 1,400 stands.

This makes the National Ploughing Championships the largest outdoor event in Europe and one of the largest agricultural events in the world.

All stand space full for 2014 Championships.

The National Ploughing Association and Bank of Ireland have launched a promotional brochure giving details of the upcoming 83rd National Ploughing Championships taking place from 23rd, 24th and 25th of September in Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co Laois. Ireland’s Largest Outdoor Event is making a return visit to the location following the success of last year’s Championships.

Sean Farrell, Head of Agriculture at Bank of Ireland Business Banking said:  “We are delighted to be part of and sponsor The National Ploughing Championships again this year. We will have our stand at the event again this year and we look forward to meeting with new and existing customers at what I am sure will be another great National Ploughing Championships”. Also present were host farmer David Carter, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh and NPA Chairman PJ Lynam.

This year will see an array of new and exciting exhibitor’s as well as hundreds of veteran companies showcasing their products and services. A revamped Innovations Arena, complete with consultation booths and a forum centre will be available for all. Enterprise Ireland will be providing staff to assist with general enquiries, the Patent’s Office will have a stand and Toplink.ie will be offering media campaign advice.

Leader Village will again be presenting entrepreneurs, businesses and a variety of groups supported by Leader, exhibiting a fantastic diversity of products and services all under one roof. Laois County Council will be showcasing the best of the economic, social and cultural services that Laois has to offer.

Returning to the show this year will be the tremendously popular Tented Trade Village with demand necessitating all marquees this year to be of the large type.

Already the Food Fayre looks like it will be extended this year with Bord Bia and an array of artisan food producers showcasing their wares. The Forestry Village will feature the Husqvarna Pole Climbing, Advisory Authorities and many of the services associated with this sector.

The 2014 Championships sees the return of the incredibly popular fashion shows featuring fashion items for all ages.
A number of new and exciting initiatives in the Agricultural Machinery Sector are at the planning stage and will add an interesting dimension to the arena. The motor industry will also be significantly represented with many large stands.

The Livestock Arena promises to be a huge attraction this year with many very valuable prizewinning animals on show.  At the centre of this Arena the Lely Robotic Milking Demonstrations is set to attract thousands of visitors again from both the farming and non-farming communities.

In the ploughing stakes a particularly strong programme has attracted entries from all around the country and Northern Ireland bringing the number preparing to plough in Laois to over 300 for the 3 days.

There are also 30 competitors expected from 10 countries around the world to compete in the European Vintage Ploughing Championships that will also take place at the site in Ratheniska from Tuesday 23rd of September.

Exhibition Space is at a premium at this stage with the NPA Site Team starting to mark out the Trade Arena from early August, this is expected to exceed the size of the 2013 Championships.

The National Ploughing Association and Bank of Ireland have launched a promotional brochure giving details of the upcoming 83rd National Ploughing Championships taking place from 23rd, 24th and 25th of September in Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co Laois (l-r) host farmer David Carter, NPA Chairman PJ Lynam, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh and Susan Maher Agri-development Bank of Ireland.

Congratulations to trailblazer Anna May McHugh who has been awarded as one of Ireland’s most powerful and influential women pictured with Maura McLaughlin partner in Arthur Cox