National Ploughing Association
National Ploughing Championships 2024
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.”
