Author: National Ploughing Association

• 86 per cent of Irish residents say dog mess is an issue in their area
• Two-thirds admit they have not picked up their pooch’s mess in public
• Wormpatrol heads to the Irish Ploughing Championship to educate local dog owners

Dog mess is a big bugbear for many people, but new research released today from  www.wormpatrol.co.uk reveals that over nearly two-thirds of dog owners in Ireland (63 per cent) admit they have let their pet make a mess in public and then not cleaned up afterwards*.

Over half (55 per cent) admit they do so when ‘no one is looking,’ whilst a brazen 35 per cent say they let their dog make a mess and don’t clean up – even when others can see. Three-quarters of people in Ireland who witnessed an owner not clean up their dog’s mess chose not to confront the owner (73 per cent).

When asked about their attitude to irresponsible dog owners, 10 per cent said they would rather pick the mess up themselves than confront an owner – something only 29 per cent would do. The majority (56 per cent) said they would do nothing.

The research coincides with the Wormpatrol Road Show visiting Ireland for the National Ploughing Championship. The centre-piece of the tour is Chewy – a 3 metre tall dog – who is helping spread the word about responsible pet ownership and the importance of regular worming.

The visit appears to be much needed – 86 per cent of dog owners in Ireland say that dog mess is an ‘issue’ in their area and 63 per cent say they see dog mess left by owners ‘every’ or ‘nearly every’ time they walk their own dog.

Not only is dog mess unsightly and extremely unpleasant if trodden on, but there are hidden dangers which can impact humans – namely worms – with 23 per cent of those from Ireland unaware that dogs can spread worms to humans. Information which becomes more pertinent when considered that numerous studies show that there are high levels of worm contamination in sandpits, parks and playgrounds.

Less than half of dog owners in Ireland (42 per cent) say they worm their pet as often as every three months, which is the minimum frequency recommended by experts.

Kingsley Baxendale, from Wormpatrol.co.uk commented: “We are a nation of animal lovers and man’s best friend soon becomes an integral part of the family. However, there is a real lack of awareness amongst many when it comes to the risk worms can pose to humans. The prevalence of roundworms at playgrounds and sandpits means families with dogs and young children should be particularly vigilant.

“A really basic step owners can take is to simply clean up after their dog, especially in public places. We understand that you can get caught short without a poo bag whilst out and about so to help pet owners, we are giving away poo bag lead holders to Britain and Ireland’s pet owners this summer.”

For more information on how to get worm wise, including how to protect your dog and family from the risk of worms, as well as further detail on Chewy’s Roadshow visit  www.wormpatrol.co.uk

Calling all Ladies and Gents attending the 2013 Ploughing Championships….

 To be in with a chance of winning a wonderful Spa Break prize to the value of €700 make sure you visit The 5* Heritage Golf & Spa Resort Stand, Lifestyle & Tourism Barrow, No. 530, Row B1, Block1, Unit 43 (just inside the entrance on the right).  Over the three day Festival we are running our Posh Wellington Boot Competition,    call to our stand wearing your Boots and we will take a picture of you and your Posh Wellingtons and on Thursday late afternoon the winner will be announced.  (Judges Decision is final).     Posh Wellingtons can be Singing, Blinging, Muddy with Bows or not and of course Designer!  

We want to see them all.

 Prize Details:

• Win a Wonderful Mid Week Spa Break at The 5* Heritage Golf & Spa Resort
• Enjoy two glorious nights bed & breakfast, a 2 hour journey through The Heritage Spa Experience followed by a 30 minute massage for each Guest
• Dinner on one night will also be served in The Arlington Room
• This prize is for valid for two guests sharing a Deluxe Guestroom
• To add to this beautiful prize we also have a €200 Gift Voucher which can be used in any one of the Kilkenny Design Stores Nationwide. (T&C apply)

For more information please contact Grainne O’Malley on T. 057 8645500 or simply email gomalley@theheritage.com

The Irish language will take centre stage in ‘Pobal na Gaeilge’ at this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Co. Laois from Tuesday 24th – Thursday 26th September 2013.

‘Pobal Na Gaeilge’, a unique Irish language quarter during the festival, is an initiative instigated by Údarás na Gaeltachta and Glór na nGael in conjunction with other Irish language groups and organisations.
The groups involved will attend the three day event and exhibit their products and services in a grand marquee titled ‘Pobal na Gaeilge’.  The Irish language groups in attendance include: An Spailpín Fánach, Coláiste Uisce, Comhchoiste Náisiúnta na gColáistí Samhraidh (CONCOS), Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Foras na Gaeilge, Gael Linn, Ógras, Oideas Gael, Oireachtas na Gaeilge and TG4.

At the Irish language marquee, visitors can experience wonderful Irish language events and entertainment including musical sessions, dance, competitions, CD launches as well as the launch of a new online bilingual digital news service.

For over eighty years the National Ploughing Championships has welcomed crowds from near and far.  In recent years this event has become one of Europe’s largest outdoor exhibitions attracting on average 1,100 exhibitors and 189,000 visitors.

 A wide range of activities showcasing Irish food, farming and culture incorporating all sectors of agricultural and rural living will be on display.  ‘Pobal na Gaeilge’ will showcase products, services and supports available through Irish.  Exhibition stands will provide information on the advances in Irish language technologies, as well as Irish language books, t-shirts, and information on events in local communities, and Irish language courses. 

Visitors to ‘Pobal na Gaeilge’ will receive a warm welcome whether they have merely a cúpla focal or are fluent Irish speakers.  ‘Pobal na Gaeilge’ / Glor na nGael will be located at in Block 4, Row S and Stand Number 309.

National Ploughing generates Economic Impact of €36m

The National Ploughing Championships Study carried by UCD in 2011 found the event generates an Economic Impact of €36 million per annum.

Key findings included:

• Visitors to the Championships spent just under €36.5 million during the three days of the 2011 event. This spending resulted in a tax take of over €6.6 million for the National Exchequer.
• 20% of attendees at the event are local.
• 63% male and 27% female split attendance.
• Machinery is the main attraction in the trade exhibition.
• Personal shopping accounted for over €7 million.
• Trade purchases were in excess of €9.6 million.
• Hotels, B&B’s, Public Houses, Food Outlets and Service Stations in the area, all stated that they experienced a dramatic increase in trade due to the championships.

Managing Director Anna May McHugh believes “the report highlights the huge economic positives that the event brings to the local community in the first instance and the benefit to the wider economy through air travel, transport to and from the event and VAT collected. 

The Association would have been aware that based on average annual attendances of 180,000 people, the spin off for all involved must be significant. The study highlights and confirms the positive impact the event has on the locality not only from a commercial perspective but also from a rural and social perspective”.