Sean O’Rourke, Nicky Byrne and Sunday Game Among RTÉ Highlights at The National Ploughing Championships 2014
The 83rd National Ploughing Championships takes place from 23rd – 25th September in Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co. Laois, and RTÉ will be in the thick of the action, in association with Aldi, bringing visitors and audiences at home a packed schedule of programming and activity (www.rte.ie/ploughing<http://www.rte.ie/ploughing>).
Over 200,000 visitors will have the chance to Explore RTÉ, with live radio and television broadcasts, musical performances and exclusive events with RTÉ presenters. Visitors can enjoy new interactive experiences with RTÉ Player and the RTÉ Guide, and enjoy storytelling with RTÉjr.
Says Noel Curran, Director-General, RTÉ: “The National Ploughing Championships has rightly earned its place as one of the best national outdoor events in Europe each year. RTÉ will be at the heart of the action in terms of broadcast output right across the three days. The RTÉ set on-site also always proves to be a hugely popular hub for visitors of all ages to sample a flavour of the full range of RTÉ activities and services.”
On RTÉ One, the Six-One News will be co-presented live from the site by Bryan Dobson on Tuesday and Sharon Ní Bheoláin on Thursday, while RTÉ’s Agricultural and Environmental Correspondent George Lee will be reporting live each day. Morning Edition, Nuacht RTÉ and News2day will also feature a series of news reports from the event and RTÉ Nationwide will devote a full programme to the best of the Ploughing 2014 on Wednesday 24th
On Tuesday 23rd, RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland will broadcast live from the RTÉ set. Sean O’Rourke will present the Today programme at 10am with guests and live music. Later that afternoon, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta is guaranteed to lift the roof with a very special trad session live on Cóisir Cheoil.
On Wednesday 24th Marty Whelan gets a lie-in and is live from the event at the later time of 10am on RTÉ lyric fm, with music from Connor and The Crooks. Rick O’Shea will be soaking up the atmosphere that afternoon from 2pm – 4.30pm, live on RTÉ 2fm.
Making their first trip to the Ploughing, Nicky Byrne and Jenny Greene will don their wellies to present The Nicky Byrne Show on RTÉ 2fm at 11am on Thursday 25th. Following this, Ploughing favourite Joe Duffy and the Liveline ‘Funny Thursday’ crew will provide more than a few laughs, live on RTÉ Radio 1.
In addition to the on-air content, you may need to bag your seat early for one of the exclusive events in the RTÉ set. Having packed out the marquee last year, RTÉ Two’s The Sunday Game panellists return to the Ploughing with Michael Lyster, Michael Duignan and Kevin McStay discussing all the recent GAA action and the forthcoming All-Ireland Hurling replay. Sports fans will also get a sneak peek of a brand-new sports quiz, presented by Jacqui Hurley, and there is also the chance to meet and hear from Nationwide’s Anne Cassin and Mary Kennedy in a chat with Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh.
Depending on what corner of the RTÉ set you find yourself in there will be range of daily activities for visitors of all ages. At the Weather Studio, visitors have the chance to watch the live weather bulletins or if you fancy yourself as a budding presenter, you can try your hand. Think you know your TV trivia? RTÉ Player will be putting visitors to the test with their new interactive quiz game. You can also get on the cover of your very own RTÉ Guide. After all of that, you can rest those weary feet in the RTÉjr zone and enjoy children’s storytelling with presenters Emma O’Driscoll and Muireann Ní Chíobháin.
For a full schedule of events please visit www.rte.ie/ploughing or pick up this week’s RTÉ Guide for a special map of the Ploughing site to help plan your trip.