- Vintage Single Furrow Pedestrian Tractor Class Thursday 21st September 2017 Class Final
- Vintage Single Furrow Mounted Class Thursday 21st September 2017 Class Final
- Standard 3 Furrow Reversible Class Thursday 21st September 2017 Class Final
- Special Horse Class Thursday 21st September 2017 Class Final
- Senior Conventional Test Match Thursday 21st September 2017 Class Final (Day 2)
- Novice 2 Furrow Conv Class Senior Grade Thursday 21st September 2017 Class Final
- Novice 2 Furrow Conv Class Junior Grade Thursday 21st September 2017 Class Final
- Novice 2 Furrow Conv Class Intermediate Grade Thursday 21st September 2017 Class Final
- Kverneland Reversible Test Match Thursday 21st September 2017 Class Final (Day 2)
- Junior Conventional Class Thursday 21st September 2017 Class Final
Author: National Ploughing Association
SUN SETS ON THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS OF ALL
As the final flow of traffic from the car parks leave this evening, the total attendance figure for the 86th Championships came to a record breaking 291,500 over the 3 days, with exhibitors and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying themselves, this marks the most successful National Ploughing Championships to date.
Speaking at the close of business, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “Despite experiencing a wet Wednesday during the 3 day festival, the overall mood for this year’s Ploughing has been incredibly buoyant and positive. With so much for visitors to enjoy from quality livestock and serious machinery to fashion, celebrities and sports stars galore there was something for every member of the family to enjoy.”
Attending today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar congratulated the NPA on another successful year, he paid tribute to Ms Anna May McHugh, the NPA, staff and the several hundred volunteers required to host an event of it’s scale and scope.
Jack Nagle, a 16 year old student from Kerry was the popular winner of the Enterprise Ireland, NPA, FJ Innovation Arena “People’s Choice Award” with his Tractor Safe Lock initiative. The hotly contested National Brown Bread Baking final took place in the Aldi tent in front of an audience of several hundred. The overall winner in first place was Mary Conway from Sligo, who was absolutely delighted with her win. Edward Roe from Tipperary beat off some stiff competition to be crowned the winner of the inaugural Macra Safe Driving competition.
In the ploughing competition Eamonn Tracey from Carlow won the overall Conventional class, while Wexford man John Whelan won the Reversible Ploughing competition. Both men will again represent Ireland at the World Ploughing contest in Germany next year.
The NPA would like to wish everyone a safe journey home and thank all for making this the most successful Championships of all time.
87,000 Visitors at Day 2 of this Year’s National Ploughing Championships
Despite the inclement weather conditions a crowd of 87,000 descended upon the site here in Screggan, Tullamore to savour all of what this year’s National Ploughing Championships. Speaking this evening, NPA Managing Director Ms Anna May McHugh said “We expected large crowds again today given the positive reports and great feedback received yesterday, and even the rain didn’t dampen the party mood and festive spirit.”
In the afternoon, the ever popular Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gentleman Competitions were hotly contested in the dedicated Fashion Show Marquee. Tasha O’Connor from Limerick beat off stiff competition from the ladies to take the top prize and secure an exclusive break in the famous G Hotel & Spa in Galway worth €3,000. The Most Appropriately Dressed Gentleman, sponsored by the Bridge House Hotel, went to Gordon Maxwell from Tyrrellspass Co Meath. He takes home a beautifully tailored suit by the award winning tailor and a weekend away in the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore.
Attending today, the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed took the opportunity to congratulate the NPA on another successful year, he paid tribute to Ms Anna May McHugh, the NPA, staff and the several hundred volunteers needed to host the event.
With the final day of the 86th National Championships tomorrow and much better weather forecast everyone is eagerly anticipating all of tomorrow’s Ploughing action.