Author: andywalsh

Fields of Success: A Memorable End to the National Ploughing Championships 2026

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As the Championships drew to a close, it was announced from the Grandstand that the 2027 National Ploughing Championships will take place in Boherkill Farm, Rathangan, Co. Kildare.

The 95th National Ploughing Championships came to a close today after three fantastic days in Screggan, Tullamore, with 75,000 visitors attending Day Three and 243,000attending across the three days.

The final day got off to a busy start with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen taking to the ploughing before visiting a number of stands and meeting exhibitors and agricultural organisations.

There was plenty of action in the ploughing fields, with the Senior Conventional and Kverneland Reversible Test Matches, horse ploughing, vintage classes and the Vintage Six Nations Competition among the highlights.

The National Brown Bread Baking Competition, sponsored by Euronics in association with the ICA and NPA, also reached an exciting conclusion.

Cara Wall from Dublin, aged 15, was crowned the Junior National Brown Bread Baking Champion, while Olivia Nash from Dublin took the Senior title after a highly competitive final.

Visitors also enjoyed fashion shows, cooking & machinery demonstrations, livestock, live entertainment and plenty more across the site throughout the day.

This year proved to be a resounding success for both exhibitors and visitors, with PTSB’s Head of Business Banking, Seán Farrell, saying:

 “PTSB is proud to partner with the National Ploughing Championships, a celebration of the resilience and innovation of farming and rural communities across Ireland. Agriculture is one of the mainstays of the Irish economy and a deeply important sector which is a key focus for PTSB. Congratulations to the National Ploughing Association on another outstanding event this year.”

Speaking on the final day, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said:

“We are delighted with how the three days have gone. There has been a fantastic atmosphere across the site and it has been wonderful to see so many people enjoying everything the Ploughing has to offer. We would like to thank everyone who helped make the event such a success and most importantly, all those who came through the gates over the three days. We wish everyone a safe journey home.”

Another Action-Packed Day as 91,000 Attend Day 2 of the 95th National Ploughing Championships

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Day Two of the 95th National Ploughing Championships saw another huge crowd descend on Screggan, with visitors enjoying a packed programme of ploughing, livestock, food, fashion and entertainment as attendance reached 91,000.

The ploughing fields were once again at the heart of the action, with Senior Conventional and Senior Reversible classes getting underway alongside the Farmerette Conventional Plough Class, horse and vintage classes. The Five Nations Competition also concluded today.

The Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition was another highlight of Day Two. The competition challenges second-level students to rear five Irish Angus calves over 18 months while completing a research project.

Five finalist school groups each received five calves at the National Ploughing Championships to bring home and rear. Students benefit from the proceeds when the animals are sold, while the overall winners receive a bursary towards further education.

The National Brown Bread Baking Competition, sponsored by Euronics in association with the ICA and NPA, also continued today, with two more Junior semi-finalists securing their places in tomorrow’s final. Cara Wall, aged 15, and Aoife Ruddock, aged 15, will join 12-year-old Callum McKeague and 15-year-old Lucy Tate in the Junior final.

In the Senior competition, Olivia Nash and Saragh Davitt also progressed to tomorrow’s final, joined by Tuesday’s finalists Therese Lonergan and Ann Loftus.

Fashion was another major attraction throughout the day, with shows from the Celia Holman Lee Model Agency, while the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gentleman competition drew plenty of attention at the Fashion Show Marquee.

Catia Bandeiras from Lisbon and living in Dublin was named Most Appropriately Dressed Lady, winning an overnight spa escape for two sponsored by voco The Club, while Ronan Kelly from Roscommon was named Most Appropriately Dressed Gentleman, receiving a €500 Shaws voucher sponsored by Shaws.

Visitors were also treated to cookery demonstrations, Tug of War, welly throwing, live entertainment and a wide range of displays and activities across the site.

Speaking on Day Two, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said:

“We are delighted with another fantastic day here in Screggan. There has been a great atmosphere right across the site, with visitors enjoying everything from the ploughing and livestock competitions to the food, fashion and entertainment. It is wonderful to see such a wide mix of people enjoying the Championships and we are looking forward to another great day tomorrow.”

Looking Ahead to Day Three

The 95th National Ploughing Championships concludes tomorrow with another packed programme of competition and entertainment.

The final day will feature further ploughing competitions, including the Senior Conventional and Reversible Test Matches, horse ploughing and the Vintage Six Nations Competition.

The Junior and Senior National Brown Bread Baking Competition finals will also take place, with the junior brown bread winner announced at 3pm and the senior winner at the senior at 3.45pm at the national brown bread baking marquee

Fashion shows, cookery demonstrations, live entertainment, machinery demonstrations, livestock, the Innovation Arena and much more will continue across the site as the 2026 National Ploughing Championships draw to a close.

Strong Start to the 95th National Ploughing Championships

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The 95th National Ploughing Championships got off to a flying start today as thousands of visitors streamed through the gates in Screggan from early morning.

Attendance reached 77,000 on Day One, with crowds from across Ireland and further afield enjoying a packed programme of ploughing, agriculture, food, fashion, innovation and entertainment.

From cutting-edge agricultural machinery and world-class livestock to food, shopping and family entertainment, the site was buzzing, with something on offer for visitors of all ages.

Competition got underway in the ploughing fields from 10.30am, with conventional, reversible, horse and vintage classes taking place alongside Day One of the prestigious Five Nations Competition.

President Catherine Connolly officially opened the 95th National Ploughing Championships at the Grandstand, marking the beginning of three action-packed days celebrating the very best of Irish agriculture, enterprise and rural life.

The Machine of the Year Award was also announced from the Grandstand, with the Manitou MLT 625 e battery-powered compact telehandler crowned the 2026 Machine of the Year.

Elsewhere across the site, the Junior and Senior National Brown Bread Baking competitions got underway, while fashion shows, the Aberdeen Angus Championships and the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena Awards added to a busy first day.

Reflecting on the day, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said:

“We are absolutely delighted with the atmosphere here today and with the fantastic number of people who have come through the gates. There is a wonderful buzz right across the site and it is great to see so many visitors enjoying everything the Ploughing Championships has to offer.”

Looking Ahead to Day Two

Wednesday promises another packed programme, with Senior Conventional and Reversible ploughing, Day Two of the Five Nations Competition, the Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition, Irish Simmental National Calf Finals, fashion shows and the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gentleman competition among the highlights.

The National Brown Bread Baking Competition also continues, with Junior and Senior semi-finalists taking to the ovens throughout the day. Across the site, there is so much more to see and do, with talks, celebs, family fun and activities taking place throughout the day.

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

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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.”