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1931	The First National Ploughing Contest was held in Mr. W.K. Hosie’s field, Coursetown, Athy. A Perpetual Challenge Cup was donated by the Estate Management and Supply Assoc. Ltd., Kildare, *“..to be competed for annually in a contest for the Senior Individual Ploughing Champion of Ireland.”* A team trophy was also presented for the contest, the “David Frame Cup”.
1932	After the 1931 Championships a type of ploughing called “National Style” was adopted. Only 3 poles were allowed and the time limit for ploughing a rood was five hours.
1933	The Royal Dublin Society (R.D.S), which had celebrated it’s bi-centenary in 1931, elected to bestow the R.D.S. Silver Medal on the Individual Winner of the Championship each year. They also also donated a solid silver Perpetual Cup to be awarded for the best pair of Irish Draught Horses at the National Competition
1934	For this event the stewarding arrangements had been improved. Each competing county sent one steward and the county hosting the Championship provided the Head Steward. The number of counties participating had increased from 9 in 1931 to 17 in 1934. The cost of the programme was six pence.
1935	Recognition was given to the role of the County Committee of Agriculture by way of the Minister for Agriculture Shield. This was awarded to the County Committee of the winners of the Inter-County Ploughing Championship.
1936	Tullamore proved to be the most successful Event from the point of view of attendance by the general public, the number of counties taking part, perfection of detail in arrangements by the Joint Committees and the facilities for visitors. The cost of the Tullamore Event was £495-7-0
1937	A new rule was introduced in 1937. Now counties would be classed into Junior & Senior Grades. Since 1931 county teams that won money prizes were graded Senior and the remaining counties Junior. The 1st & 2nd in the Junior class would now compete in the Senior Class the following year. The Junior Champion was to be awarded the Drummond Perpetual Cup
1938	This year the Carlow Vocational Education Committee organised a horse shoeing competition. In addition htere was a sheaf throwing competition. Both events attracted a lot of attention from both visitors and competitors.
1939	Despite the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 the National Ploughing Championships continued without a break throughout the war years. There were adjustments to meet the difficulties, one of these being the holding of the Junior & Senior classes at different venues. In 1939 the Minch Norton Trophy was presented for a World Contest to be held under the N.P.A. It was called the “Shield” and an anonymous donor made a present of £100 in cash to go to the winner. As a result, J.J. Bergin (founder) and others went into discussion on the prospect of holding a World Ploughing Contest.
1940	Junior Total number of counties competing 18
1941	Junior Total number of counties competing 18
1942	Although there was no competition for tractors, a tractor did appear at the second Championships in 1932. However it wasn’t until 1942 in Cloghran that the first ever National Tractor Ploughing Competition took place. There were 17 entries and spectators had the unique chance to see tractors and horses plough alond side each other.
1943	Another valuable trophy was presented to the N.P.A. ‘The Irish Industry Cup’ was to be awarded to the best ploughman, senior or minor, under 21 years of age.
1944	This year The Wilson Prize, which was a complete set of harness, went to the ploughman (under 30) who secured the highest marks in National Style Ploughing.
1945	Two more trophies were added. The Cantwell Coffee Cup for the best individual, Minor Class and the Golden Grain Cup, presented by Hygeia of Galway for the best Junior Team.
1946	Mr. Seán T. O’Kelly, President of Ireland attended the Championships. He bacame a regular visitor and thus raised the standing and importance of the National Ploughing Championships. Another of the adjustments necessitated by World War II was the abandoning of tractor ploughing as tractor fuel was impossible to obtain. In 1946 the N.P.A. reintroduced the tractor competitions.
1947	Total number of counties competing 24 Cost of the programme 1′-
1948	The newly formed Macra na Feirme (Young Farmer’s Organisation) made their first official contact with the N.P.A. by presenting the Macra na Feirme Perpetual Cup to be awarded for the best work at the Championships be a Macra na Feirme member.
1949	There was a competition for the best invention in farm machinery. The prize was a silver medal of exclusive design.
1950	Records show that it was an extremely wet day, but thousands attended the Event. President S.T. O’Kelly was Guest of the N.P.A. for the day.

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