Category: 2018

GREAT EXCITEMENT AS THE COUNTDOWN IS NOW UNDERWAY

With just under two weeks to go to the staging of Europe’s largest outdoor event, the site in Screggan, Tullamore is really taking shape for this year’s 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. Offaly site.

At this morning’s launch, the media and special guests were entertained by local performers from Offaly while prize-winning animals, quality machines, horses and hounds were all on display.  Food, fashion and farming were the flare of the day as ploughing enthusiasts, local landowners, public representatives including the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed got a flavour of all that “Ploughing” has to offer.

The Irish Ploughing team heroes were honoured as they returned victorious from last weekend’s World Ploughing Contest in Germany.  Carlow man Eamonn Tracey is the new World Ploughing Champion representing Ireland with an outstanding performance in the Conventional Class. While neighbouring county Wexford man, John Whelan also secured silver place victory in the Reversible Class.

Launching the event, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “The Ploughing Championships not only provides a national stage to showcase all that is great about Ireland, but also internationally.  As it is fantastic to see the phenomenal global interest in the event with countries such as Australia, France, USA, Denmark, UK, Netherlands, New Zealand, Hungary, Uganda, Czech Republic, Germany, Canada and Belgium attending.  With 291,500 visitors attending last year and over 1,700 stands the Ploughing Championships is one of the market leading Agriculture Trade Fairs worldwide.”

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 guests along with some of Ireland’s top models took the opportunity to inspect the site and try out some of the tractors/machinery on site.

There will be an array of new exhibitors as well as hundreds of outstanding veteran companies showcasing their products and services in dynamic ways.   The very latest models in agricultural machinery and cutting edge technology will be on display in the Innovation Arena, quality livestock, a Motor Show, a Forestry Village, Food Trail, an International Business Pavilion, Fashion and a Local Enterprise Village with every county in Ireland represented, National Baking Competitions, Craft Shows, Cookery Demonstrations and many topical seminars.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is the new sponsor of the popular Best Dressed ‘Country Style’ ladies competition on Wednesday 19^th of September. A judging panel will announce the winner with a prize worth €7,000 up for grabs. The exclusive prize includes two return flights from Dublin to Abu Dhabi, a two-night stay in the luxury 5-Star Emirates Palace, a two-night stay in the prominent 5-Star Anantara Eastern Mangroves & Spa Hotel and two complimentary passes for Yas Island.

Not only out to spoil the ladies, the men are also in for a designer treat.  The Most Appropriately Dressed Gentleman will receive a prize of a stay in the exclusive Wineport Lodge nestled on the banks of Lough Ree, in Athlone County Westmeath, plus a bespoke custom-made suit sponsored by Master Tailor, Louis Copeland.

An extended Trade Arena will see the return of the popular Tented Retail Village with demand necessitating the return of the “Dome” the biggest Arcade ever, with over 100 exhibitors displaying in the one arena plus hundreds more located in specialist Pavilions.

The National Ploughing Championships taking place from September 18 to 20^th in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly is not to be missed.  Follow the build up to #Ploughing18 online www.facebook.com/nationalploughingchampionships or www.twitter.com/@NPAIE #Ploughing18.

Congratulations and well wishes are pouring in from all corners of Ireland with the announcement of the results over the weekend from the World Ploughing Contest in Einsiedel, Germany.  Ireland’s representatives on the world stage, Mr Eamonn Tracey and Mr John Whelan won 1st and 2nd places respectively for Ireland at the World Ploughing Contest.  Carlow man Eamonn Tracey is the new World Ploughing Champion representing Ireland with an outstanding performance in the Conventional Class. While neighbouring county Wexford man, John Whelan also secured silver place victory in the Reversible Class.

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 Germany 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 Laois’s finest Ploughmen, Mr Patsy Condron. Also travelling with the contingent to Germany John Deery from Monaghan acting as Judge. Proud sponsors of the Irish Team and delegation again this year are Kverneland.

The ‘Machine of the Year’ award is open to all machines launched/manufactured since the last National Ploughing Championships.  Entries must currently be in manufacture and all machines should have a practical use in agriculture and will be exhibiting at Ploughing 2018. 

NPA Assistant Managing Director Anna Marie McHugh said “There was great interest with entries of an exceptional standard in last year’s ‘Machine of the Year’ competition and this is to be expected again this year.   As the quality of machinery at Ploughing is unparalleled with ground breaking displays and cutting edge technologies worth in excess of €50 million.”

“Last year’s winner was the exceptional horse-power high cylinder Valtra N174 tractor, which the judges praised for its ability to have different levels of specifications for operational use and the intuitive design of the touch screen systems.  Following the Ploughing Championships the Valtra N174 has gone on to experience phenomenal commercial success.”

To enter please email entry form https://www.npa.ie/exhibitorsmenu/ to media@npa.ie before Friday 31^st of August. 

Join in with the excitement by following the build up to #Ploughing18 www.facebook.com/nationalploughingchampionships/www.twitter.com/@NPAIE/

www.instagram.com/nationalploughing

In thirteen weeks’ time, the National Ploughing Championships (September 18^th – 20^th), Europe’s largest outdoor event, returns to Offaly and small businesses from all over the country are getting ‘ploughing-ready’ thanks to the Local Enterprise Offices.

Under plans for the ‘Local Enterprise Village’, launched today (June 20^th) by the Minister for Trade, Employment and Business Pat Breen T.D., Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are helping 30 small businesses and start-ups launch products and services to the thousands of visitors expected at the three-day event. 291,500 people, a record-breaking number, attended the National Ploughing Championships in 2017.

Minister Breen met several Local Enterprise Village entrepreneurs at a LEO-run training day in the Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown today, where they were learning about business development, product marketing and how to secure more sales for their small business.  A second training day is taking place later in the month in Limerick.

Minister Breen said: “The Local Enterprise Office network is a key pillar in the Government’s support for the growth and development of micro and small enterprises.  By having dedicated supports in place to help small businesses at international events like the National Ploughing Championships, we are promoting trade and driving innovation and export growth for all business sectors across the country. I would encourage all visitors to the National Ploughing Championships in September to pay a visit to the Local Enterprise Village to support Ireland’s start-ups and small businesses. The Local Enterprise Offices are central to the delivery of these dedicated supports, which help build a culture of entrepreneurship and enterprise, delivering jobs in every County in Ireland.”　

Minister Breen was joined at the launch by Oisin Geoghegan, Chair of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices, Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of The National Ploughing Association, Martin Corry of Enterprise Ireland and Paula Butler, Assistant Chief Executive of the Local Government Management Association and representative of the County and City Management Association.

Oisin Geoghegan, Chair of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices said: “As Europe’s largest outdoor event, the National Ploughing Championships are an international showcase for Ireland’s small business sector. To help small businesses get ‘ploughing-ready’, Local Enterprise Offices are providing expert training, marketing and project management support to maximise selling opportunities through the Local Enterprise Village.”

Anna May McHugh, NPA Managing Director said: “It is inspiring that so many small businesses and start-ups will be launching new products and services at this year’s National Ploughing Championships’ at the ‘Local Enterprise Village’ with the support of Local Enterprise Offices.  This is a unique opportunity for these small businesses, with 291,500 visitors in attendance last year, to showcase their companies to the large number of visitors that Ploughing attracts.”

The 30 small companies inside the Local Enterprise Village represent a diverse range of business sectors, such as skincare, fashion, technology, artisan food and drink, sports equipment and horticulture.

More details around the Local Enterprise Village and the supports on offer through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are available at www.localenterprise.ie.

The 87^th Annual National Ploughing Championships take place from September 18^th to 20^th at Screggan, Tullamore, County Offaly.