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National Brown Bread Baking Competition sponsored by Euronics and in association with the NPA and ICA returns for 2026

This year see the addition of a Junior Brown Bread Baking competition!

Finals to take place on 17th September at the National Ploughing Championships, Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly 

Winner of senior competition to take home a cash prize of €5,000 PLUS a NEFF Slide&Hide oven (RRP €2,019)!

Junior competition winner gets a €1,500 Euronics voucher plus another €1,500 Euronics voucher for their school!

(Pictured is NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh with students from Kilkenny College)
(Pictured is NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh with students from Kilkenny College)

The search for Ireland’s best brown bread is back for 2026, with details of this year’s National Brown Bread Baking Competition, sponsored by Euronics Ireland in association with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA), officially launched this week at Euronics ElectroCity in County Kilkenny. 2026 sees the addition of a Junior Brown Bread Baking Competition, giving young brown bread bakers aged 12–18 the chance to showcase their skills alongside Ireland’s best home bakers.

 

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh, said “The National Brown Bread Baking Competition has been a much-loved part of the National Ploughing Championships for generations, and we’re delighted to see it continue to grow each year. I am thrilled that this year we will once again have a junior baking category, encouraging young people to get involved and help ensure that Ireland’s proud brown bread baking tradition is carried on by the next generation.”

 

Sixteen finalists (8 junior and 8 senior) will take to the stage to bake their brown breads in the National Ploughing Championships Brown Bread Baking tent in Screggan, Tullamore, County Offaly, on September 15th and 16th, with the two winners crowned on the 17th of September. The junior baking rounds will take place at 10am each day followed by the senior rounds at 1pm.

 

The junior category aims to encourage the next generation of bakers to get involved in one of Ireland’s most treasured food traditions, keeping the legacy and Ireland’s brown bread baking tradition alive. The winning young baker will receive a €1,500 Euronics voucher, with an additional €1,500 Euronics voucher awarded to their school. The three finalists on the 17th will win a €250 Euronics voucher and all other finalists will be given a €100 Euronics voucher and a NEFF hamper.

 

The well-established adult competition will also return this year, once again searching for the country’s best homemade brown bread recipe, whether that includes a special ingredient, enough seeds to feed a flock of birds or a traditional mix. The winning brown bread baker for the adult competition will walk away with a cash prize of €5,000 PLUS a NEFF Slide&Hide®oven worth over €2,000, with three finalists on the 17th winning a €500 Euronics gift card and all other finalists will be given a €250 Euronics gift card and a NEFF hamper. 

(Pictured L-R is Anna May McHugh (NPA Managing Director), Robert Kennedy (Euronics), Mary D’Arcy (ICA President) and Eileen Brennan (brown bread judge and former winner)
(Anna May McHugh (NPA Managing Director), Robert Kennedy (Euronics), Mary D’Arcy (ICA President) and Eileen Brennan (brown bread judge and former winner)

Darragh Lynch, CEO of Euronics Ireland said at the launch “We are delighted to once again partner with the National Ploughing Association and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association for this fantastic competition. Brown bread is baked in kitchens right across Ireland every day, and we look forward to discovering some of the country’s best recipes. The standard and volume of entries last year was incredibly high with over 130 loaves collected from every corner of Ireland, and we’re excited to see what bakers, including the next generation in our new junior competition, will bring to the table.”

 

All entrants (one entry per person) are being asked to drop their freshly baked bread to one of the stores below (all part of the Euronics group) on the prescribed dates between 09.00am – 11.00am. Bread will not be accepted outside of these times. For the senior competition, five bakers will be invited to join the three finalists from the ICA who will be chosen at the national event in An Grianán on Tuesday 28th July 2026.

 

Mary D’Arcy, ICA National President added “The ICA has a long and proud connection with the National Brown Bread Baking Competition, and our members always look forward to taking part. We were especially delighted to see one of our own members take the top prize last year, which was a fantastic achievement and a real testament to the baking talent within the organisation.”

 

How to enter:

Entrants bake bread at home and drop for tasting and judging on the dates and locations outlined below. Please note, bread has to be clearly labelled with name, address, age, email address and contact number. For junior competitors, the school must also be listed.

 

No entries will be taken outside the times and locations specified below. Winning entrants will be contacted in due course. Please note no feedback will be provided to unsuccessful entries.

 

Brown bread drop off locations, dates and times:

Friday 17th July 09.00am – 11.00am

KILDARE:

  • TJ O’Mahonys Prosperous, Downings North, Prosperous, Co Kildare, W91 DA3A

DUBLIN:

WESTMEATH:

  • Heavins, A1&A2 Shannon Retail Park, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath

 

Friday 24th July 09.00am – 11.00am

CORK:

  • Bandon Co-Op, Kilbrogan , Bandon , Co Cork P72 X275

LIMERICK:

  • Jack Fitzgerald, Howleys Quay, Prior’s Land, Limerick V94 W295

GALWAY:

  • Joyce’s Hardware & Home Galway Road, Cuilleen, Headford, Co Galway H91 A9X7

CAVAN:

  • Harrys Electric Unit 2 Moynehall Retail Park, Ballinagh Road, Cavan H12 HP64

LOUTH:

  • Lally’s Euronics, Centery Business Park Marshes Lower, Dundalk, Co. Louth

MONAGHAN

  • Grahams of Monaghan, Coolshannagh Roundabout, Tullyhirm, Monaghan, H18 KF51

ROSCOMMON:

  • King & Moffatt Euronics, Sligo Road, Drishoge, Hawthorn Crescent, Co. Roscommon

DUBLIN:

 

Friday 7th August 09.00am – 11.00am

WEXFORD:

  • Redmond Electric, Unit 6 WFC Retail Park, The Avenue, Gorey, Co Wexford

MAYO:

  • Keans Claremorris, Mount Street, Clare, Claremorris, Co Mayo F12Y642 
  • Brodericks Westport, 5 Castlebar Road, Westport, Co Mayo

DONEGAL:

  • Callaghan’s Electrical, Unit 8, Letterkenny Retail Park, Neil T Blaney Rd, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

CAROLOW:

  • Electrocity Carlow, Hanover Retail Park, Hanover Road, Carlow R93XH92

KILKENNY:

  • Electrocity Kilkenny, Ordmonde Business Park, Dublin Road, Kilkenny, R95X795

WATERFORD:

  • Electrocity Waterford, Kingsmeadown Retail Park, Inner Ring Road, Waterford, X91PP92

DUBLIN:

 

Maureen Igoe, last year’s winner said of her experience “I’ve been baking for over 50 years but I honestly never expected to win, especially with such an amazing standard of competitors. It was a wonderful experience overall and I’d encourage anyone who enjoys baking to enter this year’s competition – you’ve got nothing to lose!”.

(Pictured is Maureen Igoe, winner of last year’s competition)

Visit the Brown Bread Baking Competition 2026 for information on how to enter, full terms, conditions and competition rules. All successful entrants will be contacted on August 11th and invited to attend The National Ploughing Championships Brown Bread Baking Tent.

Applications open for Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena Awards at the 2026 National Ploughing Championships

Applications are now being accepted for Enterprise Ireland’s 2026 Innovation Arena Awards competition, which returns to this year’s National Ploughing Championships. Hosted in partnership with the National Ploughing Association (NPA), this year’s Innovation Arena will focus on ‘Helping Irish Agri Business Go Global’. Entries are open until 1st May, and pictured launching this year’s competition at Enterprise Ireland’s head office in Dublin this week were (l-r); James Maloney, Innovation Arena project manager, Enterprise Ireland; Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the NPA; and Mark Christal, Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland. Pic Orla Murray/Coalesce
  • Entries open until 1st May, with €10,000 prize for best start-up winner 
  • Opportunity for Irish agri innovators to participate in one of Europe’s largest outdoor events
  • ‘Helping Irish Agri Business Go Global’ is the focus of this year’s exhibition and competition

20th February 2026: Applications are now being accepted for Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena Awards at the 2026 National Ploughing Championships.

Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena, hosted annually in partnership with the National Ploughing Association (NPA), is one of the most visited exhibitions at the National Ploughing Championships, and this year it will focus on ‘Helping Irish Agri Business Go Global’.  

Irish innovators are synonymous with agriculture around the world, and have an established reputation for delivering pioneering and groundbreaking solutions for shared global challenges, such as animal health and nutrition, strengthening food security, and addressing sustainable practises. 

Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish-owned companies to start and scale, and to grow in global markets. The long-term ambition of our strategy, ‘Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally (2025-2029)’, is that Irish exporters, including agri innovators, will become the primary driver of the Irish economy.

The Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championship offers these innovators the opportunity to showcase their pioneering solutions to visitors, and to engage with customers and international buyers at one of Europe’s largest outdoor events.

With three categories in this year’s Innovation Arena competition, applications are now being invited from Irish-owned companies and innovators who are delivering future-focused solutions with the ability to deliver sustainable changes in the sector, by bringing new inn

ovative practises and efficiencies which can address costs and helping to secure global agriculture and food supply chains.

The ‘Start-Up Innovator of the Year’ award includes a €10,000 prize, as well as mentoring and specialist supports from Enterprise Ireland advisors. The ‘Green Impact Award’ is for a company whose solution is focused on driving sustainable progress in the sector and securing it for future generations, while the Enterprise Ireland ‘Innovation Arena Champion Award’ is for established companies with a focus on scaling and innovation, who are exploring new global opportunities.

Successful applicants will be offered an exhibition space within the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championships, which is returning to Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly from 15th to 17th September.  

The live competition will also return to this year’s Innovation Arena, and nine finalists- three per category- will be selected to participate in a live pitching competition in front of a panel of judges and audience on the first day of the National Ploughing Championships.

Mark Christal, Executive Director for Sectoral and Client Solutions at Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting pioneering Irish businesses to achieve sustainable growth and to create high-quality jobs across all regions, and this includes our agri innovators who have an established reputation as being global leaders in their field.

“Helping our innovative enterprise base to be more competitive, to increase productivity and to achieve their global ambitions not only contributes to the Irish economy, but it helps to build sustainable communities around the country. Our agri focused entrepreneurs are at the heart of that, by growing jobs in local communities, and delivering solutions which address a range of global challenges, including animal health and nutrition, strengthening food security and supply chains, and addressing sustainable and efficient practises.”

Applications are now being accepted for Enterprise Ireland’s 2026 Innovation Arena Awards competition, which returns to this year’s National Ploughing Championships.Hosted in partnership with the National Ploughing Association (NPA), this year’s Innovation Arena will focus on ‘Helping Irish Agri Business Go Global’. Entries are open until 1st May, and pictured launching this year’s competition at Enterprise Ireland’s head office in Dublin this week were (l-r); James Maloney, Innovation Arena project manager, Enterprise Ireland; Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the NPA; and Mark Christal, Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland.

Applications are now being accepted for Enterprise Ireland’s 2026 Innovation Arena Awards competition.

Anna May McHugh, NPA Managing Director, said:
“The Innovation Arena remains an important feature of the National Ploughing Championships, highlighting Irish innovators who are making a positive impact both at home and abroad. We are pleased to continue our partnership with Enterprise Ireland for 2026. The Arena provides a valuable platform for Irish agritech businesses to showcase their solutions and connect with industry and international audiences.”

The Enterprise Ireland hosted ‘Agritech Hub’ exhibition space also returns to this year’s Innovation Arena, giving Irish agritech entrepreneurs the important opportunity to exhibit within the National Ploughing Championships, which last year attracted 225,500 visitors, including an Enterprise Ireland hosted delegation of international buyers who met with agri innovators and exhibitors in the Innovation Arena and across the site over the course of the three days.

James Maloney, Innovation Arena Project Manager, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena is an institution in the agritech calendar. It is now an established platform which fosters the development of agri focused innovations, and gives our entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to meet face to face with potential customers and key stakeholders at this renowned international event.”

To enter this year’s Innovation Arena Awards, please visit: https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/innovation-arena

The closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday 1st May 2026.

95th National Ploughing Championships to Return to Screggan, Tullamore in 2026

The National Ploughing Championships will once again take place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, from September 15th to 17th, 2026, marking its second consecutive year at the popular venue.

The announcement was made at the annual Prize-Giving Banquet in Tullamore, where approximately 500 people gathered to celebrate this year’s competitors and winners.

Speaking at the event, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said:
“We are delighted to confirm that the National Ploughing Championships will return to Screggan in 2026. Feedback from this year’s event has been overwhelmingly positive, with huge enthusiasm for a return to Co. Offaly.

The site proved an excellent location due to its accessibility and central location and the economic impact for Offaly and surrounding counties was very significant.

Anna May also congratulated the competitors and especially the prize winners, highlighting the very high standard of competition across all classes this year.

“Every year it is inspiring to see the incredible talent and dedication from competitors of all ages. With over 350 participants across a wide variety of classes this year, the standard was exceptionally high. Congratulations to all the winners, and indeed to everyone who took part. Ploughing remains at the very heart of the Championships, and it is wonderful to see such skill and passion on display.”

Moments from the National Ploughing Championships 2025

National Ploughing Championship 2025 Results