Category: News

Eamonn Tracey Honoured

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Carlow man Eamonn Tracey from Bagenalstown, who won 1st place for his country with an outstanding performance in the Conventional Ploughing Class at the 2014 World Ploughing Contest in St Jean D’illac in France, was honoured at a special Cathaoirleach’s Reception in the Carlow County Council Buildings surrounded by family, friends & ploughing colleagues.

A thoroughly seasoned ploughman, Eamonn has represented Ireland on an international level a total of 9 times, having previously achieved silver and bronze medals before receiving the gold award last year.

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Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council Fergal Browne said “I am delighted to host a reception in the Chamber of Carlow County Council to honour Eamonn’s marvellous achievement in winning the World Ploughing Championship 2014. To win a world championship is an achievement which is extremely rare and shows the Eamonn’s tremendous commitment and dedication.”
Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association Ms Anna May McHugh said “It is great to see Eamonn Tracey’s tremendous achievement being recognised by Cathaoirleach Fergal Browne and Carlow County Council here. It was a fantastic win both for Eamonn and his family, and Irish Ploughing as a whole. And it is with pleasure that we all wish him the best of luck as he will again represent Ireland in this years’ World Ploughing Contest in Denmark.”

General Secretary of the World Ploughing Organisation, Ms Anna Marie McHugh said “Ireland have always been highly respected internationally in terms of producing Ploughmen to compete on the world stage. And Eamonn as the current World Ploughing Champion is held in extremely high esteem not only in Ireland but across the international ploughing community.”

2015 Return to Ratheniska

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Europe’s largest outdoor event, “The National Ploughing Championships” is set to return to Ratheniska, Co Laois from September 22nd – 24th for a 3rd year given the triumph of this year’s event.  The total attendance figures for the 2014 Championship came to a record breaking 279,500. This marks the most successful National Ploughing Championships in history, smashing last year’s figures by 51,500.

The widely popular site was confirmed as the ideal location for the 2015 Championships at today’s prize-giving ceremony attended by over 500 in the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise.  Speaking after the announcement the NPA Managing   Director Anna May McHugh said “We are delighted to be staging the event in Ratheniska, Co Laois again next year.  Feedback from landowners, the local community and the wider public has been very positive and all were incredibly enthusiastic to see a return.”

“Speaking also with many of the exhibitors and visitors over the 3 days throughout the event, all were very vocal about their wishes to have it staged again in Ratheniska given how well it worked as a location this year.  The site has proved popular for several reasons including its central location and surrounding road and rail network.  By and large most people travelled to the site with ease and the minimum of traffic delays.  This has certainly helped the event in being such a success this year and we hope to repeat this again in 2015.

Anna May McHugh also congratulated all of the winners who were awarded at today’s prize-giving ceremony.   Current World Ploughing Conventional Champion Eamonn Tracey from Carlow will again represent Ireland in next year’s World Ploughing Contest in Denmark.  And bronze medal winner John Whelan from Wexford will take part in the Reversible Class.