Category: News

First Cork Chairman For NPA In 57 Years

At the Annual General Meeting of the National Ploughing Association in Abbeyleix yesterday Denis Keohane, Clonakilty, West Cork was elected as Chairman marking the first West Cork Chairman since 1961 (Larry Sexton).

Farmer and contractor, Denis is a Director of the NPA for over 20 years, involved in ploughing since he was a teenager he has served his apprenticeship as an officer at all levels of the Association. A respected ploughing Judge at National and International level and a key figure in the running of the National Event Denis is an excellent choice for the position.

Padraig Nolan, Roscommon elected as Vice Chairman makes history as the first ever officer of the NPA from Roscommon.

The NPA reported another record breaking event in Screggan, Tullamore last year and confirming that plans for this year’s Championships at the same venue from 19th – 21nd September are well underway with Exhibition Space almost full at this stage.

Other business included Managing Director Anna May McHugh announced the publication of her autobiography by Penguin Ireland in September 2017 saying ‘I have been asked many times down through the years “when are you writing the book?” so it has been a long time coming. This is my 66th year working for the National Ploughing Association and I have lived through many changes and challenges in life, business and society. I am enjoying writing my story as it evokes so many memories and I hope readers will find that it’s worth the read!’

Europe’s largest outdoor event, “The National Ploughing Championships” is set to return to Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly on September 19^th, 20^th & 21st next year given the triumph of this year’s event.  The total attendance figures for the 2016 Championship came to a record breaking 283,000. This marks the most successful National Ploughing Championships in history.

 

The widely popular site was confirmed as the ideal location for the 2017 Championships at today’s prize-giving ceremony attended by over 500 in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, Co Offaly.  Speaking after the announcement the NPA Managing   Director Anna May McHugh said “We are delighted to be staging the event in Screggan, Tullamore 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 Screggan 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 2017.”

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

SUN SETS ON THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS OF ALL TIME

As the final flow of traffic from the car parks leave this evening, the total attendance figure for the 2016 Championship came to a record breaking 283,000 over the 3 days, with exhibitors and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying themselves, this marks the most successful National Ploughing Championships in history.

Speaking at the close of business, Ms Anna Marie McHugh said “ Traffic to and from the site has been moving well all week and credit is due to An Garda Síochána in no small part and the traffic management plan in place. With the record numbers attending, everyone expected to meet some holdups, but the traffic was kept flowing at all times with only the very minimum of delays.” “We are delighted with the overall attendance figure this year.

The three days ran very smoothly and the feedback from early on, via social media, has been extremely positive. Both on Twitter and Facebook, #Ploughing16 has been trending all week and thousands upon thousands have been updating their status or uploading pictures.” The NPA MD Anna May McHugh said “the NPA are delighted with how the 3 days of the event ran, and we are delighted to have signed an official “Memorandum” partnership agreement with the New Zealand Fieldays Society to seal the special relationship between the National Ploughing Association and our counterpart Fieldays in the Southern hemisphere.”

Kate (16) and Annie (14) Madden with Fenu Health were the popular winners of the Enterprise Ireland, NPA, FJ Innovation Arena “People’s Choice Award”. The hotly contested National Brown Bread Baking final took place in the Aldi tent in front of an audience of several hundred. The overall winner in first place was Ms Phyllis McGovern from Waterford, who was absolutely delighted with her win as it was her second time entering the Nationwide competition. The NPA would like to wish everyone a safe journey home and thank all for making this the most successful Championships of all time.