Category: News 2023

The NPA is delighted to announce a fantastic new initiative for visitors attending this year’s National Ploughing Championships taking place in Ratheniska, Co Laois on September 19^th, 20^th & 21^st.  This interactive guide will be most informative and useful for the hundreds of thousands of visitors throughout the 3 days of the event.

Andy Kinsella Travella Solutions Managing Director said ‘Attendees can access a free interactive guide with their smart phones and then self-guide around the venue with GPS.  For the National Ploughing Championships, we overlay the detailed site engineering drawings with GPS so attendees know exactly where they are going.

A search function will allow visitors to locate specific exhibitors from the 1.700 stands.  One element attendees will find very useful is the ‘find my car’ feature which allows users to place a marker on the map where their car is so they can easily locate it once they are heading home.”

Interactive Guide | Instructions

The NPA are pleased to announce a fantastic new partnership with Permanent TSB for this year’s National Ploughing Championships taking place in Ratheniska, Co Laois from September 19^th to 21^st. 

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “Permanent TSB have been very supportive and a loyal contributor to ‘Ploughing’ throughout the years so it is with great joy that the NPA are welcoming Permanent TSB on board as the new financial institution sponsor.   This is a fantastic opportunity for Permanent TSB with crowds of up to 300,000 expected throughout the three-day festival.” 

Speaking to the announcement, Eddie Kearney, Head of Retail Distribution at Permanent TSB, said “Permanent TSB is delighted to be returning to the National Ploughing Championships again this year and are pleased to support Anna May McHugh and the wider team as one of the event’s sponsors.  We take great pride in this partnership, and our team will be on hand at stand 304 throughout the three days to support our agri-community with their business banking and asset finance needs.’’

Follow the build up to #Ploughing2023 and to plan your visit: please see Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok

With just two weeks to go until Europe’s largest outdoor event kicks off!

EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness attended this morning’s National Ploughing Championships launch on site in Ratheniska, Co Laois where the national media and special guests were entertained by local performers from Co. Laois while prize-winning animals, high powered tractors, horses and hounds were all on display.  Everyone was in high spirits and getting into ‘ploughing’ mode’ in the hope that this glorious weather would hold out for just another few days. 

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “preparations are well underway as this green field in the middle of Ireland transforms into a bustling hub for the National Ploughing Championships.  The event not only provides a national stage to showcase all things that are great about Ireland but also brings together people from all sectors of Irish society both rural and urban, to enjoy three days immersed in country living.”

There will be millions of euro worth of agricultural and plant machinery on display featuring an extensive range of cutting edge agricultural technology and equipment, with the opportunity to see these in action in the machinery demonstration area. The leading manufacturers and agents will be present with specialist sales advisors and technical experts available for free consultations.  

Visitors can take the opportunity to admire the marvellous quality livestock on display and learn about livestock management, genetics, nutrition and healthcare.   

Sustainability is very much a key theme again for #Ploughing2023.   As this year at ‘Ploughing’ there will be numerous green initiatives, for example the NPA will be promoting the use of recyclable products, food waste will be converted into energy through an anaerobic digester and there will also be solar panelled lighting towers, cardboard compactors, litter fines and waste separation operations on-site.”  Certa formally known as EMO Oil are providing the electricity for the event using HVO Hydrated Vegetable Oil (recycled cooking oil).  

The ‘Ploughing’ is a haven for foodies, as all sectors of the food chain are represented from producer to retailer, artisan foods, craft beers, celebrity chefs, cookery competitions and much more.

 In the national ploughing stakes a particularly strong programme has attracted entries from all around the country and Northern Ireland with over 320 competitors over the 3 days. 

Models from the Holman Lee modelling agency took to a mini catwalk to provide a glimpse of the highly anticipated fashion shows that will take place throughout the three days of the event.   Local and national boutiques/fashion houses provided a taster of the latest styles and the fashion of the upcoming season. 

All of the firm favourite attractions are set to return this year such as Fashion Shows, Meggers, Sheep Shearing, Hunt Derby, Fun Fair, Food Fayre, Craft Demonstrations, Pony Games, Live Music and Dancing, Vintage Ploughing, Threshing, Loy Digging, Motor Show, Baking Competitions  with celebrities and well known faces everywhere Ploughing 2023 is not to be missed.

The Ploughing and FBD: Keeping You Safe child safety wristband project will be an important feature again at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, which will take place in Raheniska, Co Laois on September 19^th, 20^th & 21st.  Over 40,000 of the safety wristbands will be handed-out at all of the event entrances, which will allow for a contact phone number to be written on the band in case the wearer wanders off amidst the large gathering. 

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “We are delighted to be partnering up with FBD again on this excellent safety concept as all can now rest assured that loved ones will be returned safely in case they wander away in the crowds that attend Ploughing.  With up to 300,000 visitors expected over the course of the 3 days these wristbands give reassurance and great peace-of-mind to all attending the event and add immensely to visitor experience.

A day at Ploughing is a brilliant family day with something of interest for all ages & tastes and children are particularly well catered for with a Playground, Baby Changing Areas, Fun Fair, Pony Games, Sporting Heroes, TV Stars, Sweet & Toy Stands and much more,” she added.

FBD CEO Tomás O’Midheach said “Everyone at FBD Insurance is delighted to return and support Ploughing this year.  We are especially pleased to continue our support for the wristband child safety initiative. Over the years, this important initiative has proved incredibly useful in protecting children should they become separated from their parents or loved ones while attending the largest event in the Irish farming calendar.”

All under 12s are free of charge once accompanied by an adult.  To guarantee ticket availability on your day of choice please book online in advance www.npa.ie