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SUN SETS ON THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS OF ALL TIME

As the final flow of traffic from the car parks leave this evening, the total attendance figure for the 2016 Championship came to a record breaking 283,000 over the 3 days, with exhibitors and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying themselves, this marks the most successful National Ploughing Championships in history.

Speaking at the close of business, Ms Anna Marie McHugh said “ Traffic to and from the site has been moving well all week and credit is due to An Garda Síochána in no small part and the traffic management plan in place. With the record numbers attending, everyone expected to meet some holdups, but the traffic was kept flowing at all times with only the very minimum of delays.” “We are delighted with the overall attendance figure this year.

The three days ran very smoothly and the feedback from early on, via social media, has been extremely positive. Both on Twitter and Facebook, #Ploughing16 has been trending all week and thousands upon thousands have been updating their status or uploading pictures.” The NPA MD Anna May McHugh said “the NPA are delighted with how the 3 days of the event ran, and we are delighted to have signed an official “Memorandum” partnership agreement with the New Zealand Fieldays Society to seal the special relationship between the National Ploughing Association and our counterpart Fieldays in the Southern hemisphere.”

Kate (16) and Annie (14) Madden with Fenu Health were the popular winners of the Enterprise Ireland, NPA, FJ Innovation Arena “People’s Choice Award”. 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 Ms Phyllis McGovern from Waterford, who was absolutely delighted with her win as it was her second time entering the Nationwide competition. The NPA would like to wish everyone a safe journey home and thank all for making this the most successful Championships of all time.

111,000 VISITORS ATTENDED DAY 2 OF THE EPIC EVENT THAT IS #PLOUGHING16

Today 111,000 visitors passed through the gates of the Championships in Screggan, Co Offaly, this brings the total attendance so far this week to an all-time high of 211,000 over the first two days. 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 showers in the afternoon 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. A local from Screggan Cross, Co Offaly Melissa Gately 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 Louis Copeland & Sons and Wine Port Lodge, went to John Orne from Kerry. He takes home a beautifully tailored suit by the award winning tailor and a weekend away in one of Ireland most luxurious hotels, the Wineport Lodge.

Attending today, Taoiseach Enda Kenny 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.

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 Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, Fianna Fail Leader Michéal Martin, Ministers Simon Harris and Leo Varadkar, Labour and Sinn Fein leaders Brendan Howlin and Gerry Adams respectively and several Ministers of State.

With the final day of the 85th National Championships tomorrow everyone is eagerly anticipating all of tomorrow’s Ploughing action.