Category: News Feed

Fields of Success: A Memorable End to the National Ploughing Championships 2026

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As the Championships drew to a close, it was announced from the Grandstand that the 2027 National Ploughing Championships will take place in Boherkill Farm, Rathangan, Co. Kildare.

The 95th National Ploughing Championships came to a close today after three fantastic days in Screggan, Tullamore, with 75,000 visitors attending Day Three and 243,000attending across the three days.

The final day got off to a busy start with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen taking to the ploughing before visiting a number of stands and meeting exhibitors and agricultural organisations.

There was plenty of action in the ploughing fields, with the Senior Conventional and Kverneland Reversible Test Matches, horse ploughing, vintage classes and the Vintage Six Nations Competition among the highlights.

The National Brown Bread Baking Competition, sponsored by Euronics in association with the ICA and NPA, also reached an exciting conclusion.

Cara Wall from Dublin, aged 15, was crowned the Junior National Brown Bread Baking Champion, while Olivia Nash from Dublin took the Senior title after a highly competitive final.

Visitors also enjoyed fashion shows, cooking & machinery demonstrations, livestock, live entertainment and plenty more across the site throughout the day.

This year proved to be a resounding success for both exhibitors and visitors, with PTSB’s Head of Business Banking, Seán Farrell, saying:

 “PTSB is proud to partner with the National Ploughing Championships, a celebration of the resilience and innovation of farming and rural communities across Ireland. Agriculture is one of the mainstays of the Irish economy and a deeply important sector which is a key focus for PTSB. Congratulations to the National Ploughing Association on another outstanding event this year.”

Speaking on the final day, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said:

“We are delighted with how the three days have gone. There has been a fantastic atmosphere across the site and it has been wonderful to see so many people enjoying everything the Ploughing has to offer. We would like to thank everyone who helped make the event such a success and most importantly, all those who came through the gates over the three days. We wish everyone a safe journey home.”

Another Action-Packed Day as 91,000 Attend Day 2 of the 95th National Ploughing Championships

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Day Two of the 95th National Ploughing Championships saw another huge crowd descend on Screggan, with visitors enjoying a packed programme of ploughing, livestock, food, fashion and entertainment as attendance reached 91,000.

The ploughing fields were once again at the heart of the action, with Senior Conventional and Senior Reversible classes getting underway alongside the Farmerette Conventional Plough Class, horse and vintage classes. The Five Nations Competition also concluded today.

The Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition was another highlight of Day Two. The competition challenges second-level students to rear five Irish Angus calves over 18 months while completing a research project.

Five finalist school groups each received five calves at the National Ploughing Championships to bring home and rear. Students benefit from the proceeds when the animals are sold, while the overall winners receive a bursary towards further education.

The National Brown Bread Baking Competition, sponsored by Euronics in association with the ICA and NPA, also continued today, with two more Junior semi-finalists securing their places in tomorrow’s final. Cara Wall, aged 15, and Aoife Ruddock, aged 15, will join 12-year-old Callum McKeague and 15-year-old Lucy Tate in the Junior final.

In the Senior competition, Olivia Nash and Saragh Davitt also progressed to tomorrow’s final, joined by Tuesday’s finalists Therese Lonergan and Ann Loftus.

Fashion was another major attraction throughout the day, with shows from the Celia Holman Lee Model Agency, while the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gentleman competition drew plenty of attention at the Fashion Show Marquee.

Catia Bandeiras from Lisbon and living in Dublin was named Most Appropriately Dressed Lady, winning an overnight spa escape for two sponsored by voco The Club, while Ronan Kelly from Roscommon was named Most Appropriately Dressed Gentleman, receiving a €500 Shaws voucher sponsored by Shaws.

Visitors were also treated to cookery demonstrations, Tug of War, welly throwing, live entertainment and a wide range of displays and activities across the site.

Speaking on Day Two, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said:

“We are delighted with another fantastic day here in Screggan. There has been a great atmosphere right across the site, with visitors enjoying everything from the ploughing and livestock competitions to the food, fashion and entertainment. It is wonderful to see such a wide mix of people enjoying the Championships and we are looking forward to another great day tomorrow.”

Looking Ahead to Day Three

The 95th National Ploughing Championships concludes tomorrow with another packed programme of competition and entertainment.

The final day will feature further ploughing competitions, including the Senior Conventional and Reversible Test Matches, horse ploughing and the Vintage Six Nations Competition.

The Junior and Senior National Brown Bread Baking Competition finals will also take place, with the junior brown bread winner announced at 3pm and the senior winner at the senior at 3.45pm at the national brown bread baking marquee

Fashion shows, cookery demonstrations, live entertainment, machinery demonstrations, livestock, the Innovation Arena and much more will continue across the site as the 2026 National Ploughing Championships draw to a close.

Strong Start to the 95th National Ploughing Championships

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The 95th National Ploughing Championships got off to a flying start today as thousands of visitors streamed through the gates in Screggan from early morning.

Attendance reached 77,000 on Day One, with crowds from across Ireland and further afield enjoying a packed programme of ploughing, agriculture, food, fashion, innovation and entertainment.

From cutting-edge agricultural machinery and world-class livestock to food, shopping and family entertainment, the site was buzzing, with something on offer for visitors of all ages.

Competition got underway in the ploughing fields from 10.30am, with conventional, reversible, horse and vintage classes taking place alongside Day One of the prestigious Five Nations Competition.

President Catherine Connolly officially opened the 95th National Ploughing Championships at the Grandstand, marking the beginning of three action-packed days celebrating the very best of Irish agriculture, enterprise and rural life.

The Machine of the Year Award was also announced from the Grandstand, with the Manitou MLT 625 e battery-powered compact telehandler crowned the 2026 Machine of the Year.

Elsewhere across the site, the Junior and Senior National Brown Bread Baking competitions got underway, while fashion shows, the Aberdeen Angus Championships and the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena Awards added to a busy first day.

Reflecting on the day, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said:

“We are absolutely delighted with the atmosphere here today and with the fantastic number of people who have come through the gates. There is a wonderful buzz right across the site and it is great to see so many visitors enjoying everything the Ploughing Championships has to offer.”

Looking Ahead to Day Two

Wednesday promises another packed programme, with Senior Conventional and Reversible ploughing, Day Two of the Five Nations Competition, the Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition, Irish Simmental National Calf Finals, fashion shows and the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gentleman competition among the highlights.

The National Brown Bread Baking Competition also continues, with Junior and Senior semi-finalists taking to the ovens throughout the day. Across the site, there is so much more to see and do, with talks, celebs, family fun and activities taking place throughout the day.

The Countdown is On for the 95th National Ploughing Championships

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Screggan comes to life as preparations gather pace for three action-packed days at Ploughing 2026

With just over three weeks to go, the countdown is well and truly on as the fields of Screggan, Tullamore are transformed ahead of the 95th National Ploughing Championships, taking place from September 15th–17th.

Today’s official Media Launch gave a flavour of what is in store this September, bringing together machinery, livestock, food and entertainment as preparations continue for three days that will see Screggan become the centre of Irish agriculture, rural life, enterprise and innovation.

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said, “There is a great excitement around the site now as everything begins to take shape. Reaching our 95th Championships is a very special milestone and we are really looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Screggan. There is an enormous amount of work happening behind the scenes and it is fantastic to see it all starting to come together.

It has been a tough year for many farmers, with difficult weather and the pressures of prices and rising costs. Hopefully the Ploughing gives people a chance to take a day away from it all, enjoy themselves with family and friends, catch up with old faces and maybe meet a few new ones along the way. The Ploughing has always been about bringing people together and celebrating the very best of ploughing, Irish agriculture, enterprise and rural life and we are looking forward to what promises to be a fantastic three days this September.”

Ploughmen Eamonn Tracey (left) and John Whelan (right) who are off to the World ploughing pictured with Anna May McHugh, NPA managing director and Minister Peter Burke TD (Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment) on site at Screggan, Tullamore for the launch of this year’s National Ploughing Championships to be held 15th-17th September.

At the heart of it all is the ploughing, with more than 350 competitors & 34 unique classes taking place across the Championships. Adding an international dimension, the Five Nations Ploughing Competition will also take place over two days, adding to what promises to be a fantastic programme of competitive ploughing.

Today’s Media Launch also provided an opportunity to wish the very best of luck to John Whelan from Wexford and Eamonn Tracey from Carlow, who will represent Ireland at the World Ploughing Contest in Croatia on September 5th and 6th. They will be joined by Gary Simms as coach and Harry Mallon as judge, with the Irish team departing for Croatia on August 23rd as they prepare to defend Ireland’s World title successes.

Machinery is set for a particularly strong showing, with an increase in machinery exhibitors and a number of new companies attending for 2026, joining many of the familiar names that visitors return to see each year. The Motor Arena has also grown, with more car companies exhibiting and a wide selection of cars and commercial vehicles on display.

The international appeal of the Championships continues to grow, with particularly strong representation from Northern Ireland, alongside exhibitors travelling from Scotland, England, France, the Czech Republic and New Zealand.

There will be a fantastic variety of livestock across the three days, combining major competitions with an extensive selection of breeds and displays. The Growvite All-Ireland Aberdeen Angus Finals take place on Tuesday, while Wednesday brings the Irish Simmental National Calf Finals and Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition. Visitors can also explore the popular Sheep Tunnel and Sheep Shearing Tent, alongside many other livestock attractions.

The future of farming will be on show at the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena, where Irish agritech businesses and innovators will showcase new ideas and solutions. Joining its established awards for 2026 is the new Young Innovator of the Year Award, putting the spotlight on the next generation of agricultural innovation.

There is a new generation taking part in another Ploughing favourite too. The National Brown Bread Baking Competition, sponsored by Euronics and in association with the NPA and ICA, introduces the Junior Competition for young bakers aged 12–18. Sixteen finalists – eight junior and eight senior – will bake live during the Championships, with both 2026 winners crowned on Thursday.

Irish food will feature right across the site, from traditional favourites to artisan produce and emerging food businesses. Midlands Flavours will showcase producers from across the region, while the wider Championships will offer visitors the opportunity to discover the variety and creativity of Ireland’s food and drink sector.

There will be something happening around every corner, with fashion shows, pony games, working hunter trials, carriage driving, Tug-of-War, vintage displays, threshing, Meggers, welly throwing, a funfair, music, dancing, cookery demonstrations and the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gentleman Competition all adding to the atmosphere. Hourly HSA demonstrations will also run throughout the event, while exhibitors across the site will host their own talks, demonstrations, competitions and entertainment, with plenty more still to be announced.

The fields of Screggan are changing by the day and the stage is being set for a very special 95th National Ploughing Championships. Tickets are available at www.npa.ie, with a special Media Launch ticket promotion running until 1.00pm on Saturday, August 22nd.