Category: 2017 Archive

Irish Ploughing Team Take-On The World and Win

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Congratulations and well wishes are pouring in from all corners of Ireland with the announcement of the Irish Teams’ magnificent results over the weekend from the World Ploughing Contest in Njoro, Kenya.  Ireland’s representatives on the world stage, Mr John Whelan and Eamonn Tracey  won first and silver places respectively for Ireland in Kenya.  Wexford man John Whelan fought off tough competition with an outstanding performance to become Supreme World Ploughing Reversible Champion for his country. While neighbouring county Carlow man, Eamonn Tracey also secured a silver place victory in the Conventional Class with a truly world class ploughing display.

Both seasoned ploughmen and previous Supreme World Ploughing Champions, John has represented Ireland at the World Ploughing Contest 9 times, while Eamonn has represented his country internationally 12 times.

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh and Irish Ambassador to Kenya Dr Vincent O’Neill congratulate the Irish Ploughing team of John Whelan from Wexford and Eamonn Tracey from Carlow on their marvellous victory at the World Ploughing Contest in Kenya.

Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association Ms Anna May McHugh said “this is a fantastic win for both men and Irish Ploughing as a whole. Since winning the nationals last year, the men have been working hard on preparing for the worlds in Kenya and all their effort have paid off. They have done their country extremely proud. Congratulations and a very well done to both”

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. However, Eamonn and John in particular are held in extremely high esteem not only in Ireland but across the international ploughing community. Another great result such as this for both men further adds to their global reputation as Masters in their field”.

The Republic of Ireland were coached this year by one of Wexford’s finest Ploughmen, Mr Declan Buttle.  Also travelling with the contingent to Kenya was Brian Mahon of Offaly acting as Judge. Proud sponsors of the Irish Team and delegation again this year are Kverneland.

The Irish Team will fly home this Thursday morning in Dublin airport at 11.20am for a celebratory reception. For more information and full set of results please seewww.worldploughing.org and Twitter on @world_ploughing .

Results Day Three

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SUN SETS ON THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS OF ALL

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As the final flow of traffic from the car parks leave this evening, the total attendance figure for the 86th Championships came to a record breaking 291,500 over the 3 days, with exhibitors and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying themselves, this marks the most successful National Ploughing Championships to date.

Speaking at the close of business, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “Despite experiencing a wet Wednesday during the 3 day festival, the overall mood for this year’s Ploughing has been incredibly buoyant and positive. With so much for visitors to enjoy from quality livestock and serious machinery to fashion, celebrities and sports stars galore there was something for every member of the family to enjoy.”

Attending today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar congratulated the NPA on another successful year, he paid tribute to Ms Anna May McHugh, the NPA, staff and the several hundred volunteers required to host an event of it’s scale and scope.

Jack Nagle, a 16 year old student from Kerry was the popular winner of the Enterprise Ireland, NPA, FJ Innovation Arena “People’s Choice Award” with his Tractor Safe Lock initiative. 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 Mary Conway from Sligo, who was absolutely delighted with her win. Edward Roe from Tipperary beat off some stiff competition to be crowned the winner of the inaugural Macra Safe Driving competition.

In the ploughing competition Eamonn Tracey from Carlow won the overall Conventional class, while Wexford man John Whelan won the Reversible Ploughing competition. Both men will again represent Ireland at the World Ploughing contest in Germany next year.

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

87,000 Visitors at Day 2 of this Year’s National Ploughing Championships

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Despite the inclement weather conditions a crowd of 87,000 descended upon the site here in Screggan, Tullamore to savour all of what this year’s National Ploughing Championships.  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, and even the rain didn’t dampen the party mood and festive spirit.”

In the afternoon, the ever popular Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gentleman Competitions were hotly contested in the dedicated Fashion Show Marquee.  Tasha O’Connor from Limerick beat off stiff competition from the ladies to take the top prize and secure an exclusive break in the famous G Hotel & Spa in Galway worth €3,000. The Most Appropriately Dressed Gentleman, sponsored by the Bridge House Hotel, went to Gordon Maxwell from Tyrrellspass Co Meath.  He takes home a beautifully tailored suit by the award winning tailor and a weekend away in the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore.

Attending today, the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed took the opportunity to congratulate 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.

With the final day of the 86th National Championships tomorrow and much better weather forecast everyone is eagerly anticipating all of tomorrow’s Ploughing action.