88th NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS REVIEW Machinery and Livestock Exhibition
SUN SHINES AS RECORDS BROKEN AT PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS 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 the USA and all their effort have paid off. They have done their Country extremely proud. Congratulations and a very well done to both.
The sun certainly shone on the 88th National Ploughing Championships which attracted a record breaking 297,000 visitors over the three days, with exhibitors and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying themselves, making this the most successful event to date. President Michael D. Higgins officially launched the championships, paying tribute to NPA Managing Director Ms Anna May McHugh, the Gardaí, Carlow County Council and the hundreds of volunteers and staff that are required to stage the event. He also visited the ploughing plots to examine the conditions and meet with the Under 28 conventional competitors and Horse Ploughing competitions. Having witnessed the competitive conditions and chatted with the county representatives, he then attended and visited several exhibitors to experience and witness all that the Championships had to offer. Also there were several Irish Government Ministers, Party Leaders and elected representatives who were manning their tents and pouring customary cups of tea. Some of the nationally recognisable political representatives included an Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who visited many stands and even took the opportunity to plough a plot. Other senior politicians included Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed who took the opportunity to hold a media conference in the NPA HQ. Also among those attending
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were the two Michéals, Minister Michéal Ring and the Fianna Fáil leader Michéal Martin. Speaking at the close of business, Anna May McHugh said: “We are delighted with the overall attendance figure this year. The three days ran extremely smoothly and everywhere I looked there were cheery smiling faces with all members of the family thoroughly enjoying themselves.”
Silver Winning Champions Meanwhile, congratulations and well wishes are pouring in from all corners of Ireland after the results of the World Ploughing Contest in Baudette, Minnesota, USA, where Ireland’s representatives on the world stage, Eamonn Tracey and John Whelan both won silver place. Carlow man Eamonn Tracey produced an outstanding performance in the Conventional Class, while neighbouring county Wexford man, John Whelan also secured silver place victory in the Reversible Class.
“Ireland has 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 was coached this year by Donegal man Matthew Simms. Also travelling with the contingent to America was DJ McHugh from Laois acting as judge; proud sponsors of the Irish Team and delegation again this year was Kverneland.
Sustainability Key Theme With a shared vision to support and champion sustainable manufacturing across Ireland, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC) Ireland and the National Ploughing Championships have revealed that all soft drink and water bottles sold at the 2019 Championships contained at least 50% recycled plastic. Market-leading soft drink producer Coca-Cola HBC has been the exclusive
