News 2024 Archives - National Ploughing Association

Ploughing Championships 2025 Venue Confirmed

Posted on 18/12/2024 by National Ploughing Association

The National Ploughing Association today confirmed Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly as the venue for the 2025 National Ploughing Championships on 16^th, 17^th, 18^th September.

The Ploughing was held on the same farm in 2016-2017-2018 hosted by Joe Grogan, RIP – his wife Lisa Flaherty Grogan will host the 2025 event with additional lands being made available for ploughing and parking from many neighbouring farmers.

The 3 day event is set to bring millions into the local economy mainly through the hospitality industry but also utilising many local services in order to build an event that requires upwards of 700 acres.

The NPA are excited to be going back to Offaly in 2025 and Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “there will be many of the old favourite elements to the programme but also some new attractions in 2025.”

The announcement was made in the Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore and attended by members of the NPA Executive Committee, Landowners, Cathaoirleach, County Manager, Gardai and members of Offaly Ploughing.

Sun beginning to set as such a successful ‘Ploughing’ draws to a close.

Posted on 19/09/2024 by National Ploughing Association

As the traffic flows from the car parks here this evening in Ratheniska, Co Laois the total attendance figure for the 93^RD National Ploughing Championships came to a massive 244,000 over the 3 days, with a huge increase of 43,450 visitors when compared to last year. Exhibitors and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying themselves in the glorious weather with all that was on offer.

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said, “The overall mood for this year’s Ploughing has been incredibly buoyant and positive. With so much for visitors to enjoy from quality livestock & serious machinery to fashion, celebrities, influencers and sports stars galore there was something for every member of the family to enjoy.”

The coveted 2024 Best Brown Bread Baker title went to Rose Egan from Offaly, she received a very generous cash prize of €5,000 and a state of the art NEFF oven. The competition was first a feature of the National Ploughing Championships in the early 1950s is sponsored by Euronics & run in conjunction with the ICA

The NPA would like to wish everyone a safe journey home and thank all for making this one of the most successful Championships of all time.

90,500 visitors attended day 2 of the National Ploughing Championships

Posted on 18/09/2024 by National Ploughing Association

Today 90,500 visitors passed through the gates of this year’s ‘Ploughing’ in Ratheniska, Co Laois. This brings the total attendance so far this week to 166,000 over the first two days. Speaking this evening, NPA Managing Director Ms Anna May McHugh said “We expected large crowds again today given the glorious weather & great feedback received yesterday.”

In the afternoon, the ever popular Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gentleman Competitions were hotly contested in the dedicated Fashion Show Marquee. Anne O’Mahony from Tipperary, received the title of The Most Appropriately Dressed Lady, judged by former Miss Ireland winner, Holly Carpenter, sponsored by the Club Hotel at Goffs. Anne O’Mahony won an exclusive weekend at The Club at Goffs, including a four-course meal. Most Appropriately Dressed Gentleman winner was Patrick O’Brien from Galway, judged by Irish influencer, Kieran Corrigan and sponsored by Shaws Department Store. Mr O’Brien won a 500 euro voucher for Shaws Department Stores.

The final day of the 93rd National Ploughing Championships will be tomorrow. Everyone is eagerly anticipating all of tomorrow’s Ploughing action and the final of the National Brown Bread Baking Competition will take place. The winner will be crowned Ireland’s National Brown Bread Baker of the Year 2024.

#Ploughing2024 roars into life as the sun beams down on the site in Ratheniska.

Posted on 17/09/2024 by National Ploughing Association

Spirits were high as visitors poured on to the site from early morning and the day did not disappoint as there were a huge number of 75,500 attendees. This represents an increase of 9,250 on last year’s figure of 66,250.

With clear blue skies throughout the day, shoppers and agricultural enthusiasts joined celebrities and politicians to experience a great day out for all the family.

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

The highly anticipated prestigious Machine of the Year competition result was announced with congratulations going to the family run RT Sales Ltd, an innovative leader in the hedge cutting industry. The judges were extremely impressed with the strength of the entries in in this highly competitive contest.
Speaking at the end of Day One, Ms Anna May McHugh said “We are extremely pleased with the fantastic turnout today. The traffic flowed with ease thanks to the guard’s fantastic traffic management and visitor co-operation. Everywhere you looked people were smiling and enjoying themselves at a whole array of activities.”

President Michael D. Higgins officially launched the event paying tribute to Ms Anna May McHugh, the Gardaí, Laois County Council and the hundreds of volunteers and staff that are required to stage the event.

Tomorrow’s action-packed day includes Fashion Shows, Celebrity cookery demonstrations, Machinery Demos and 300 sheep are due to take part in a sheep shearing competition. One of the highlights will be the ‘Most Appropriately Dressed’ Lady & Gentleman competitions judged by influencers Holly Carpenter and Kieran Corrigan.

With all that is happening on site tomorrow & wonderful weather forecast again Ratheniska, Co Laois is the place to be for Day 2 of the National Ploughing Championships.