Visit the 2014 National Ploughing Championship NOW, via the Bank of Ireland Google Map, and enter a competition to be in with the chance to win cash! Visit Bank of Ireland for more details.
Category: News
Farmer’s Journal Ploughing App
Download the Ploughing App.
The Farmer’s Journal has launched a National Ploughing Championship site app for you to download for free!
To do so , follow one of these links:
- Google Play – http://bit.ly/Ploughing2014android
- Apple Itunes – http://bit.ly/Ploughing2014apple
NPC 2014 Kicks Off!
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”.
Picture: Alf Harvey/HRPhoto.ie REPRO FREE
“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.
Top Oil Partnership
Top Oil have partnered with the NPA in the run up to the National Ploughing Championships as part of a new sponsorship deal. Highlighting this new partnership, 100 8ft x 4ft billboards have been erected at strategic locations throughout the country advertising the event which takes place form the 23rd to 25th of September at Ratheniska, Co. Laois.
On site recently, Managing Director of the NPA, Ms Anna May McHugh, along with management staff from Top Oil and the Top Oil mascot, erected the first of these advertisements. As the billboard went up, Ms McHugh spoke of how she looked forward to working very closely with Top Oil in the run up to the championships and offered “I am delighted that Top Oil have come on board this year as sponsorship partners of the event. Top Oil are a very well-known brand throughout Ireland and instantly recognisable throughout the rural community”.
“As one of the main sponsorship partners, Top Oil bring much to the table in terms of supporting the hosting of the Championships. As an organisation, they have a great appreciation of the importance and impact events such as the Championships have on both the national economy and the rural community.”
Speaking on the new partnership, Marketing Manager for Top Oil, Jason Power expressed how he looked forward to working closely with event organiser in the run up to the Championships “Top Oil are serving fuel products to the local communities of Ireland for over 200 years so when we were offered the opportunity to work with the iconic 83rd National Ploughing Championships by becoming their official fuel partner, I can honestly say that we jumped at the chance”.
“Since formally agreeing to this mutually beneficial partnership there is a great buzz of excitement throughout our nationwide network of Top Oil depots and retail sites. Top Oil are extremely proud to be associated with this legendary three day event and the primary reason Top Oil decided to become involved is because we understand how much The Ploughing means to literally thousands of our agricultural, fuel card, commercial, motor fuel and home heating customers”.
“Top Oil are really looking forward to working extremely closely with a prestigious brand like The National Ploughing Championships as it represents, we believe, a perfect fit with our very own Top Oil brand as both brands acknowledge the vital importance of local communities to each of our businesses, we both believe in product quality and continuous innovation, value for money and we are both sharply focused and committed to building long lasting relationships with our customers, many of which we hope to welcome onto our Top Oil stand during the 23rd, 24th and 25th of September.”