Author: National Ploughing Association

Gowan Distributors Limited, PEUGEOT Importers in Ireland, will unveil a trio of new models at the National Ploughing Championships, 18th to 20th September at Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. With over 300,000 visitors expected at the show, the radical new PEUGEOT 508, rugged Rifter MPV and the eagerly-awaited new Partner van will each make their Irish debut on the PEUGEOT stand, ahead of their official launches in early 2019.

Colin Sheridan, Sales and Marketing Director at Gowan Distributors said: “Year to date the PEUGEOT brand has enjoyed an excellent sales performance; the fastest growing brand, PEUGEOT has seen a 46% increase in new car registrations with our van range maintaining a top five position. We look forward to continued consumer interest with the arrival of three very important new models. The National Ploughing Championships prove every year to be the perfect platform to launch new models, and we anticipate strong attendance on the PEUGEOT stand.”

The radical new PEUGEOT 508’s exterior design is sharper and sleeker than that of its predecessor, while the car’s spectacular interior boasts the latest generation of the iconic PEUGEOT i-Cockpit(r). Highly favourable press reviews from the international press launch of the new 508 in late June have already signalled exemplary road-handling, high performance new petrol and diesel engines, countless technology features and a quantum leap in quality. Initial units of the new 508 will arrive in Dealerships in late 2018, with an official launch anticipated in early 2019.

Replacement to the popular Partner Tepee MPV and mirroring the premium style of the lion-brand’s latest creations, the robust new PEUGEOT RIFTER is versatile and practical. Borrowing SUV characteristics from its big brother 3008 and 5008 SUVs – a high ride height, large wheels, wheel arches and rear bumper protection – proportions are perfectly balanced. Equipped with the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit(r), it features high levels of safety and comfort equipment, new-generation petrol and diesel engines and is available in two lengths, with 5 or 7 seats. The new RIFTER will land in Ireland in late 2018, ahead of 191-registrations.

The all-new Partner is the brand’s first light commercial vehicle to feature the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit(r) as standard, an unprecedented move in this vehicle segment. Offering the perfect balance between convenience, practicality and drivability, the new Partner is available in both Standard and Long body, to swallow goods measuring up 2.16m in length. It delivers a load capacity of up to 4.4m3 (2 Euro-pallets) and payloads ranging from 650KG to 1000KG. A range of new petrol and diesel engines will be launched on the new Partner in 2019, with a choice of both manual and automatic transmission. The new Partner will launch in Ireland in early 2019. 

PEUGEOT, a regular exhibitor at the National Ploughing Championships, will display 14 vehicles across the range at this year’s show at stand number 214, block 3, row number 9.

We will  have a specifically slingshot game with us called: ‘The Further A Field’.

Many of our key target markets purchase lrish Produce, we would like to ask Irish Consumers to catapult our vegetables towards a target. The target will be a Country, we would like our Irish Consumers to target the country they would like to see Irish produce available in. We will tally up the vote and announce after the National Ploughing Championship. Our objective is to have local Irish Vegetables available on the shelves for generation migration.

We will also be launching our new exciting products, Beer Battered Chips and  Beer Battered Onion rings in addition to the new Vegan/Dairy Free range of products: Mashed Potato, Root Veg, Sprouting Broccoli and Potato Crush

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A variety of interactive science shows and workshops will be on offer for event goers of all age groups including science magic shows, workshops etc.

In addition to this we will be promoting the range of education and public engagement programmes that Science Foundation Ireland offer including:

What have we in the marquee?

– Smart Futures (www.smartfutures.ie) promoting STEM careers to students in Ireland. It provides access to careers information and role models to students, parents, guidance councillors and teachers.

– Science Week is Ireland’s biggest annual promotion of science to the general public. The week-long programme of events across Ireland each November aims to make science more interesting and accessible to children and adults alike. (www.scienceweek.ie)

– 16 world-leading SFI Research Centres Science Foundation Ireland funds 16 world-leading, large-scale SFI Research Centres – that represent major economic impact for Ireland, with €428m Exchequer funding and €228m industry investment. They are focused on research in areas such as advanced materials, bio-engineering, pharmabiotics, medical devices, photonics, software, data analytics, Internet of Things, marine renewable energy, geosciences, and solid-state pharmaceuticals, aswell as foetal and neonatal translational research.

– Discover call Funded Projects – Meet some of SFI Funded projects – Dublin Maker, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cell explorers , Physics Buskers etc

At Science Foundation Ireland, we believe in the ability of science, technology, engineering &maths to effect positive change in the world and drive a sustainable international economy

Theatre Shows – every hour ( on the half hour) daily from 09.30- 4pm

– Bubble Show Join Scientific Sue on a very slimy scientific journey of discovery and find out about the amazing science and engineering which is linked to the magical world of
bubbles. Using lots of volunteers the secret ingredients which allow us to turn soap solutions into amazing colour changing bath bombs, bouncing bubbles and unbelievably huge bubbles will be revealed. Who knew bubbles would allow us to learn about electric forces, solids, liquids and gases, acid – base reactions and gooey, slimy polymers.
Bubbles: Big, small, bouncing, touchable, floating, sinking. Bubbles hold many wonders and create lots of excitement!

– Your beautiful biased brain
Psychologist James Soper presents this fast-paced, interactive show that will literally turn your world upside down. We take our brains for granted but they are the most amazing machines in the universe. Brains do incredible things, but they also take short-cuts that mean sometimes what you see, hear and feel is very different to the actual world around you. Learn about the latest in brain imaging and research in a show that will blow your mind.
Interactive Activities in the Marquee
– Physics Buskers- “busking performances” involve interactive experiments and demonstrations selected for maximum engagement, excitement and education.
Hands on Workshops for kids with take home kits to try at home: daily at 9.45am, 10.30am, 11.15am, 12pm, 12.45pm, 1.30pm, 2.15pm, 3pm

• Tuesday – Food Is Funky
• Wednesday – Cell Explorers – Discover your DNA
• Thursday – Chemistry Maker workshop Making spectrometers

The Aldi marquee is back for another year at the National Ploughing Championships

#AldiPloughing 

The Aldi marquee is back at the National Ploughing Championships with a jam-packed line up throughout the three-day festival which takes place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Entertainment will once again be provided by hugely popular Irish country music star Mike Denver, celebrity cooking demonstrations and 35 of Aldi’s Irish suppliers will be showcasing the very best of Aldi’s multi-award winning range of Irish sourced food and drink. 

Visitors are especially encouraged to get to the marquee during Mike’s daily set on stage, to be in with a chance of once again getting their hands on a complimentary Stetson hat.

Day 1 (18^th Sept): Virgin Media 1’s Ireland AM hosted by Alan Hughes will come live from the Aldi marquee from early in the morning.  The five winners of the ‘Grow with Aldi’ supplier development programme will be announced, Mike Denver and his band will take to the stage throughout the day, and chef Mick Quinn will be cooking up a storm in the demo kitchen from the stage. He will be joined by Irish goalkeeping legend Packie Bonner and singer Jake Carter in a celebrity cook off at midday. The first semi final of both the National Brown Bread Baking Competition and the National Junior Baking Competition will take place in the Baking Area.

Day 2 (19^th Sept): Virgin Media 1’s The Elaine Show will come live from the Aldi marquee and Munster and Irish rugby hero Paul O Connell who is the Aldi Play Rugby Ambassador will also be in attendance. Again cookery demos, the second semi final of both the National Brown Bread Baking Competition and the National Junior Baking Competition will take place and Mike Denver will be on stage throughout the day. Chef Mick Quinn will oversee a cook off between Paul O’Connell and Aldi Community Games supporter and Dublin GAA player James McCarthy. Foróige, one of Aldi’s charity partners will be also be on site, and young Foróige members will be encouraged to use their skills and talents as they take part in an Aldi mentoring programme. The Aldi mentoring programme has been designed to give Foróige members an insight into the business of Aldi, and they will spend the day shadowing various members of the Aldi team and engaging in key roles.

Day 3 (20^th Sept): The final day is all about crowning our two baking champions – the winning brown bread that will hit the shelves of all 133 Aldi stores in early December, as will the Lemon Drizzle cake, the competition of which is in association with Foróige. The 6 O’Clock Show will be filming the finals showcasing the very best brown breads and lemon drizzle cakes!

Aldi will once again sponsor The National Brown Bread Baking Competition, in association with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA). Day 1 will also see the Foróige Junior Baking Competition also sponsored by Aldi kick off in the marquee. Both competitions will run for the three days with the overall winners announced on Thursday.

What else will be going on?

• Broadcast beauty and Aldi’s Mamia Brand Ambassador Síle Seoige will also be on hand to MC the Aldi Marquee throughout the three days, as well as hosting the National Brown Bread and National Junior Baking competitions.
• Aldi will be joined by 35 of its Irish suppliers in its marquee, who will be taking part in live on stage cooking demonstrations and providing samples of Aldi’s premium Irish product range.
• The Mamia Baby Area is back, bigger and better, having proven so popular last year.  Aldi’s Beauty Ambassador, Sinead Kavanagh aka The Beautiful Truth will be on site on Day 1 to give her top tips for glowing skin!
• Face-painting and balloon making will also be taking place for the three days so make sure to bring the kids along too!
• Aldi’s Swap & Save campaign – take part in our survey at the marquee to be in with a chance to win Aldi shopping vouchers.

“We’re delighted to be back as one of the main sponsors of this year’s National Ploughing Championships and are looking forward to welcoming visitors to our marquee,” said John Curtin, Group Buying Director at Aldi Ireland. “Once again, the Aldi Marquee will be the destination of choice, with a huge array of entertainment planned, from cookery demos, to live music, to baking finals and face painting”.

“We will be joined by the winners of our GROW with Aldi initiative, as well as 35 of our Irish  suppliers who produce the premium quality Irish products found on the shelves of our 133 stores nationwide. Supporting the Irish food and drink sector is of huge importance to Aldi and we are delighted to present some of our best Irish fare to visitors.”

“Visitors will also get the chance to learn about the progress of the many national and local community projects Aldi has supported in Ireland, including the Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards, Aldi Play Rugby, Aldi Community Games and our partnership with FoodCloud.”

“As we are at the home of Ploughing in Ireland, we at Aldi would like to congratulate Eamonn Tracey from Carlow who won first place in the conventional class at the World Ploughing Contest in Germany recently. We would also like to congratulate Liam O’Driscoll from Cork, who came first in his category at the European Ploughing Contest in Russia back in June.”

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said, “We are delighted to be partnered with Aldi and the ICA once again this year, given the popularity and success of the National Brown Bread Baking Competition at Ploughing.  With record crowds of 291,500 visitors in attendance last year and the site in Screggan proving to be a phenomenal success, signals would suggest another “great ploughing” is on the way.  The Championships not only provides a national stage for showcasing all things agricultural, but also brings together people from all sectors of Irish society both rural and urban, to enjoy three days immersed in country living.”

Packed with fun, food, sports and Stetsons, the Aldi marquee is set to be one of the highlights at the National Ploughing Championships so make sure to stop by!

The Aldi marquee is located at Block 4, Row 10, stand 233.