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100,000 Visitors on Day One!

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THE 85TH NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS ROARS INTO ACTION WITH A RECORD DAY ONE ATTENDANCE OF 100,000

Despite the previous days’ rain, the weather picked up as the crowds gathered from all over Ireland for the 85th National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly. The sun beamed down as the crowd of 100,000 enjoyed a fantastic, action packed day for all the family.

With clear blue skies throughout the day, shoppers, machinery and agricultural enthusiasts joined celebrities and politicians on the 25 kilometres of track way.

>From farming to fashion, artisan foods to top-of-the range machinery the very best of what Ireland has to offer was on display today for people of all interests to enjoy.

The highly anticipated and prestigious Machine of the Year competition result was also announced with congratulations going to Acres MD, David Doran for the super Crop 1 machine. The judges; journalist Bruce Lett, UCDs Kevin McDonald and Wilfried Wolf from DLG were extremely impressed with the strength of the entries in this inaugural competition.

The NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “the feedback from exhibitors so far is that business is extremely vibrant and those I spoke with today said sales are already well ahead of what they predicted. This is very positive for both rural Ireland and the wider economy.”
“With the sun shining down on all things Ploughing today, reports are that tomorrow is shaping up to be another action packed day at “largest outdoor event in Europe.”

Day One Results

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A fantastic first day has now ended at the 2016 National Ploughing Championships. Record crowds are expected to this year’s Championships and no wonder, since the 2016 National Ploughing Championships makes a great day out for all the family.

 

All Day One results are listed below:

 

 

Irish Ploughmen Victorious

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IRISH PLOUGHMEN TAKE ON THE WORLD AND ARE VICTORIOUS AGAIN

Congratulations and well wishes are pouring in from all over the country this morning following the announcement of the results of the World Ploughing Contest in York, UK last night. Ireland’s representatives on the world stage, Mr Eamonn Tracey and Mr John Whelan won 2nd and 3rd place respectively for their country. Carlow man Eamonn Tracey fought off tough competition to win 2nd place for Ireland with an outstanding performance in the Conventional class. While neighbouring county Wexford man secured a bronze victory in the Reversible class.

ploughingBoth seasoned ploughmen, Eamonn has represented Ireland on an international level 11 times, and John has competed 8 times in the World Ploughing Contest. Both men have been previous World Champion Ploughing winners in their respective classes.

NPA Managing Director Ms Anna May McHugh said “this is a fantastic win for both men and Irish Ploughing as a whole. Since winning the Nationals last year to qualify to compete in the World Ploughing Contest, the men have been working extremely hard preparing and now all their efforts have paid off.  They have made their country extremely proud, congratulations and a very well done to them both and all of their families.”

General Secretary of the World Ploughing Organisation Ms Anna Marie McHugh said “Ireland have always been highly respected in terms of producing ploughmen to compete on the world stage.  However, Eamonn and John are held in particularly high esteem not only in Ireland but across the international ploughing community. Given the high level of competition here in York throughout the contest, this is another great result for both men and further enhances their reputation as Masters in their field.”        

The Irish team were coached by Declan Buttle from Wexford and joined by Judge Brian Mahon from Offaly. Kverneland were the proud sponsors of the victorious Irish team again this year