Author: National Ploughing Association

Dairy Diversity in Sports Nutrition and at Home: Under the Spotlight with NDC

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#NDCDome at #ploughing: Block 3/ Row 21/ Stand 306

Hurling All Star legend and eight-time All-Ireland hurling Champion Eddie Brennan will be with the National Dairy Council at the ploughing on Thursday, 25th September, from 12 noon until 3.00pm.  He is joined by food and farming broadcaster Suzanne Campbell.

Eddie and Suzanne will be live on stage in the NDC Dome in conversation with NDC Nutritionist Caroline O’Donovan at 12 noon, 1.30pm and 2.00pm.

Eddie Brennan won eight All-Ireland medals during his time with Kilkenny, he won four All Star Awards and three Gaelic Players’ Awards.  He also won ten Leinster medals and four National

League medals.  Eddie was named as one of the 125 greatest stars of the GAA as part of the GAA 125 celebrations in 2009. At club level Brennan continues to play with Graigue-Ballycallan. He has won both Leinster and county club championship winners’ medals with the side.

Eddie Brennan, who retired following the 2011 Championship, is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation.

Dairy Diversity

Chef Phelim Byrne will continue to showcase the many versatile ways we can enjoy Irish milk, yogurt, cheese, butter and cream in some tasty recipe ideas at four free cookery demonstrations each day of the ploughing.

They are taking place in the NDC Dome at 11.00am, 1.00pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm, with themes including “Baking Bliss,” “Love The Leftovers,”  “Meals in Minutes” and “Afternoon Tea.”

Phelim Byrne is originally from Blackwater, Co. Wexford.  Phelim worked previously with Kellys Hotel in Rosslare, The Park Hotel in Kenmare and won numerous awards when he was Head Chef at Dunbrody Country House in Arthurstown.  He opened ‘Phelim Byrne Professional Catering Services & Cookery Academy’ in 2006 which is a thriving business in Wexford and in March 2010 opened ‘Seasuir’, a Hospitality & Events Company.  Phelim has made guest appearances on the ‘Afternoon Show’ and ‘Four Live’ on RTÉ and presents a slot on TV3’s ‘Late Lunch Live.’

You can find out more about the work of the National Dairy Council on its website www.ndc.ie.  You can also find the National Dairy Council on Facebook/NDCIreland or follow on Twitter @NDC_ie

Record High Attendance!

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Numbers attending hit an all-time record high today with just over 124,500 passing through the gates of the Championships in Ratheniska. This is an increase of 34,500 on yesterday bringing the total attendance so far this week to 206,500. Speaking this evening, Ms Anna Marie McHugh said “We expected large crowds again today given the excellent weather and positive reports yesterday, however, I don’t think anyone would have predicted today’s attendance figure. The feedback from exhibitors so far is that business is extremely vibrant and those I spoke with said sales are already well ahead of their 3 day target figures. This is very positive for both rural Ireland and the wider economy.”

In the afternoon, the ever popular Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gent Competitions were hotly contented in the dedicated Fashion Tent. Lesley Ann Conlon from Athy beat off stiff competition from the ladies to take the top prize and secure a luxury holiday for two to Italy, which was kindly sponsored by Insight Vacations.  The Most Appropriately Dressed Gent, sponsored by Louis Copeland & Sons and Wine Port Lodge, went to Peter Finnegan from Monaghan. He takes home a beautifully tailored suit by the award winning tailor and a weekend away in one of Ireland most famous luxury hotels.”

With clear blue skies throughout the day, shoppers and agricultural enthusiasts joined celebrities and politicians on the 25 kilometres of track way. Taking the opportunity to press the flesh, several Government Ministers, Party Leaders and elected representatives were manning their tents and pouring customary cups of tea. Some of the nationally recognisable political representatives today included Tánaiste Joan Burton TD., Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Simon Coveney T.D., Leader of Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin T.D., and Mairead McGuinness MEP.

With the sun shining down on all things Ploughing today, reports are that tomorrow is shaping up to be another action packed day at ‘Ireland’s Farming Festival’.

 

Brendan Courtney Joins NDC for World School Milk Day & Nutrition Booklet Launch

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#NDCDome at #ploughing: Block 3/ Row 21/ Stand 306

Broadcaster and designer Brendan Courtney joins the National Dairy Council at the National Ploughing Championships on Wednesday 24th September from 12 noon until 3.00pm.   He will launch two new consumer leaflets on ‘Nutrition and You’ for adults and for children from the NDC which are supported by the INDI (Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute).

Brendan will be live on stage in conversation with Dr. Catherine Logan on ‘Being the Best Version of You’ with guidance on healthy eating, activity, grooming, fashion and communication (12 noon, 1.30pm and 2.00pm).

Celebrating World School Milk Day

Wednesday 24th September is also World School Milk Day, designated by the UN (United Nations, FAO), providing a platform for the NDC to highlight its role in the School Milk Scheme.

“National surveys showed that 42% of Irish teenage girls and 23% of Irish teenage boys have insufficient calcium intakes; and that 37% of girls and 28% of boys aged from 5 – 12 years of age in Ireland had insufficient calcium intakes in their diet,” says Caroline O’Donovan, Nutritionist with the NDC.

“These trends are worrying.   Milk is among the best dietary sources of calcium and the School Milk Scheme has a significant role to play in terms of influencing dietary habits and thereby helping alleviate some of the nutrition related public health issues facing Irish society,” says Caroline O’Donovan.
“Children and teenagers need effective encouragement to switch to healthier eating and snacking habits and to get back to the basics of the Food Pyramid.”

A team of TY students from Ard Scoil na Tríonóide, Rathstewart, Athy, Co. Kildare who won the top prize in the National Dairy Council’s Milk It Awards in May 2014, will see their winning project featured in a television advert ‘sMoolicious’ on TV3/3e, to coincide with World School Milk Day.

Dairy Diversity & Action Packed Programme at NDC Dome

Chef Phelim Byrne will showcase the many versatile ways we can enjoy Irish milk, yogurt, cheese, butter and cream in some tasty recipe ideas at four free cookery demonstrations each day of the ploughing.  They are taking place in the NDC Dome at 11.00am, 1.00pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm, with themes including “Baking Bliss,” “Love The Leftovers,”  “Meals in Minutes” and “Afternoon Tea.”

Food and farming broadcaster Suzanne Campbell and eight-time All-Ireland hurling Champion Eddie Brennan will be with the National Dairy Council at the ploughing on Thursday, 25th September, from 12 noon until 3.00pm.

You can find out more about the work of the National Dairy Council on its website www.ndc.ie.  You can also find the National Dairy Council on Facebook/NDCIreland or follow on Twitter @NDC_ie