Category: Exhibitor News

Visitors to the Ploughing Championship will have a new challenge this year – to select their favourite farming poem.

Love of agriculture and the land has been a favourite theme for poets down the ages. In recent times Patrick Kavanagh and Seamus Heaney, for example, have written passionately about farming.

Now “A Poem for the Ploughing” is being launched by the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin to find out what verses are the most evocative of life on the land.

People all over the country are being invited to submit their top choice of poem which captures the wonders of country life and the craft of farming.

The competition to find peoples’favourite poem about agriculture from the work of established national or international poets follows the recent highly successful ‘Poem for Ireland’ search organised by RTE.

The idea to find the most popular rustic poem came from Bishop Denis Nulty in whose diocese the National Ploughing Championships will be held. They will take place from September 22^nd to 24^th in Ratheniska, County Laois.

Bishop Nulty, who comes from a farming family in Meath, enjoys reading poetry. “Poetry is a beautiful way of expressing emotions and ideas. Rhythm and imagery can capture the magic and hardship of farming really well. I believe we are going to see many wonderful entries to depict the lives of people who live close to the soil” the bishop said.

Between now and Wednesday, September 9^th, people are asked to submit their suggestions to Poem for the Ploughing, Faith Development Services, College Street, Carlow or poemfortheploughing@kandle.ie.

The top five/six poems nominated by Sept 9^th will be put on display in the Kildare & Leighlin tent at the Ploughing Championships and visitors will have the chance to vote for their favourite.

The peoples’choice of  ‘Poem for the Ploughing’will be announced at 2.30pm on the final day of the championships.

Everyone who submits a poem will be entered into a draw for €250 worth of product from BLF Nutrition Ltd.

A draw for €250 worth of product from BLF Nutrition Ltd. will be held for those who nominate the winning poem.

New Album Release at the ploughing – 2015

Richie will be launching his new album at Europes largest outdoor event,  “The National Ploughing Championships”  Ratheniska, Co Laois. on Tuesday 22nd – Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th September.  Richie is one of the favourites at this three-day festival every year and fans can look forward to seeing him perform live each day. 

Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, Richie is continuing to write and record his own songs.  A great man for writing novelty songs.  Richie has yet another hit on his hands  with his latest single ”My Girlfriend has a New iPhone”. 

This is a fun song about a young couple in love.  But the boyfriend is finding it hard to get his girlfriends attention,  because she’s always on her new iPhone.  Its now available on iTunes. 

Richie is delighted to announce the release of his new official music video for his latest single “My Girlfriend Has A NewiPhone’’. The video was posted on Facebook at 2 p m Wednesday 12th August and it has already received 880,342 views

Former Rugby International Alan Quinlan will be with the National Dairy Council on Day 1 of the ploughing, Tuesday 22^nd September from 11.00am-2.30pm. Originally from Tipperary, Alan Quinlan first played rugby for Ireland in October 1999 and played his first Six Nations match against Italy in 2001. He was part of Ireland’s squad at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia and will be providing insights into the current World Cup campaign.

Ten times All-Ireland hurling champion Henry Shefflin will be with the National Dairy Council on Wednesday 23^rd September from 12 noon until 3pm.

Both Alan and Henry will share fitness and sports nutrition tips; and will help to highlight ‘Win With Dairy,’ the NDC’s national campaign this Autumn which celebrates the positive role that milk can play in sports nutrition, at whatever level you play or enjoy sports. ‘Win With Dairy’ is part of a nutrition-led strategy which embraces the versatile role of dairy throughout our life-stages.

Nutrition & You

Broadcaster and designer Brendan Courtney joins the National Dairy Council at the National Ploughing Championships on Day 3, Thursday 24^th September from 12 noon until 3.00pm. He will highlight the expansion of the range of consumer leaflets on ‘Nutrition and You’ from the NDC which are supported by the INDI (Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute. The series now features nutritional information tailored for children, for adults and for the 50+ age group.

Brendan will be live on stage in conversation with Dr. Marianne Walsh talking about healthy eating, active lifestyles, grooming, fashion and communication (12 noon, 1.30pm and 2.00pm).

Winning Ingredients – Free Cookery Demonstrations with Chef Brian McDermott

Daily cookery demonstrations by well-known chef Brian McDermott at the NDC Dome will highlight the Winning Taste of Dairy with plenty of recipes to tantalise the taste buds.

Brian McDermott is a resident chef on RTÉ’s Today Show, has presented his own weekly cookery slot on BBC Radio Foyle and is a regular contributor to many national events and press titles. He has been cooking professionally for over 25 years and also runs his own cookery school in Moville, Inishowen, Co. Donegal.

Brian is passionate about using local produce and cooking ‘honest’ food with no hidden ingredients or added salt. “I let the ingredients speak for themselves by using herbs and spices that complement, but don’t overshadow the main dish.” The free cookery demonstrations will take place each day of the ploughing at the NDC Dome at 11.00am, 1.00pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

Winning Taste of Dairy

A flavour for the innovative, expanding and diverse ranges of dairy products available to consumers will be celebrated with a new exhibition from a selection of NDC member dairy co-ops inside the NDC Dome.

The NDC also continues to promote the quality of our pasture based dairy farming and will showcase the national finalists in the 2015 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards at the ploughing. The national award programme, known as the Sam Maguire of dairy farming, identifies and awards our top dairy farmer each year.

Fun With Dairy

The ever popular PhotoBooth returns to the NDC Dome with a chance to win prizes each day of the Ploughing.  You can also test your football skills in an interactive penalty shoot-out zone where there is the opportunity each day to win some spot prizes.

You can find out more at www.ndc.ie or www.winwithdairy.ie . You can also follow the National Dairy Council on Facebook/NDCIreland or Twitter @NDC_ie

The countdown is on! With only two weeks left to the highly anticipated National Ploughing Championships 2015, that, year on year continues to attract hundreds of thousands of people from all over Ireland and abroad, we are delighted to announce the fantastic prizes on offer for the popular Most Appropriately Dressed competitions that take place on Day 2 of the event, Wednesday 23^rd September.

This year the ever popular ‘Most Appropriately Dressed Lady’ competition welcomes a new sponsor from the West of Ireland, the award winning five star Philip Treacy designed g Hotel & Spa Galway, have given a prize to the value of over €3,000. The winner will receive a two night weekend escape for two people to The g staying in their most luxurious bedroom, the Linda Evangelista Suite. The prize includes two night’s bed and breakfast, a Champagne gourmet dinner for two in Restaurant gigi’s, their signature Afternoon Tea experience, plus a 55 minute treatment each in their spa, ESPA at the g.

Not only out to spoil the ladies that attend the National Ploughing Championships on Wednesday 23^rd September, the men too are in for a designer treat! The Most Appropriately Dressed Gent will receive both an exclusive prize of a €1,000 voucher generously sponsored by Wineport Lodge nestled on the banks of Lough Ree, in Athlone County Westmeath, plus a dapper tailored-made suit sponsored by Master Tailor himself, Louis Copeland & Sons.

Throughout Wednesday 23^rd September, undercover judges will be circulating throughout the site spying for potential winners, so dress to impress! If you are handed a finalist tag, please make sure to be at the bandstand 3.30pm for the final judging and presentation of prizes.

This year’s National Ploughing Championships will take place in Ratheniska, Stradbally, County Laois. In total, over 700 acres of land will be needed to for the occasion. The event will not only cater for all sectors of agricultural and rural life, but features something for just about every member of the community.