Category: News Feed

As the traffic flows from the car parks here this evening in Ratheniska, Co Laois the total attendance figure for the 93^RD National Ploughing Championships came to a massive 244,000 over the 3 days, with a huge increase of 43,450 visitors when compared to last year.  Exhibitors and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying themselves in the glorious weather with all that was on offer.

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said, “The overall mood for this year’s Ploughing has been incredibly buoyant and positive.  With so much for visitors to enjoy from quality livestock & serious machinery to fashion, celebrities, influencers and sports stars galore there was something for every member of the family to enjoy.”

The coveted 2024 Best Brown Bread Baker title went to Rose Egan from Offaly, she received a very generous cash prize of €5,000 and a state of the art NEFF oven.  The competition was first a feature of the National Ploughing Championships in the early 1950s is sponsored by Euronics & run in conjunction with the ICA

The NPA would like to wish everyone a safe journey home and thank all for making this one of the most successful Championships of all time.

Today 90,500 visitors passed through the gates of this year’s ‘Ploughing’ in Ratheniska, Co Laois. This brings the total attendance so far this week to 166,000 over the first two days. Speaking this evening, NPA Managing Director Ms Anna May McHugh said “We expected large crowds again today given the glorious weather & great feedback received yesterday.”

In the afternoon, the ever popular Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gentleman Competitions were hotly contested in the dedicated Fashion Show Marquee.  Anne O’Mahony from Tipperary, received the title of The Most Appropriately Dressed Lady, judged by former Miss Ireland winner, Holly Carpenter, sponsored by the Club Hotel at Goffs.  Anne O’Mahony won an exclusive weekend at The Club at Goffs, including a four-course meal. Most Appropriately Dressed Gentleman winner was Patrick O’Brien from Galway, judged by Irish influencer, Kieran Corrigan and sponsored by Shaws Department Store. Mr O’Brien won a 500 euro voucher for Shaws Department Stores. 

The final day of the 93rd National Ploughing Championships will be tomorrow. Everyone is eagerly anticipating all of tomorrow’s Ploughing action and the final of the National Brown Bread Baking Competition will take place. The winner will be crowned Ireland’s National Brown Bread Baker of the Year 2024. 

Spirits were high as visitors poured on to the site from early morning and the day did not disappoint as there were a huge number of 75,500 attendees.  This represents an increase of 9,250 on last year’s figure of 66,250.

With clear blue skies throughout the day, shoppers and agricultural enthusiasts joined celebrities and politicians to experience a great day out for all the family.

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

The highly anticipated prestigious Machine of the Year competition result was announced with congratulations going to the family run RT Sales Ltd, an innovative leader in the hedge cutting industry.  The judges were extremely impressed with the strength of the entries in in this highly competitive contest.
Speaking at the end of Day One, Ms Anna May McHugh said “We are extremely pleased with the fantastic turnout today.  The traffic flowed with ease thanks to the guard’s fantastic traffic management and visitor co-operation. Everywhere you looked people were smiling and enjoying themselves at a whole array of activities.”

President Michael D. Higgins officially launched the event paying tribute to Ms Anna May McHugh, the Gardaí, Laois County Council and the hundreds of volunteers and staff that are required to stage the event.

Tomorrow’s action-packed day includes Fashion Shows, Celebrity cookery demonstrations, Machinery Demos and 300 sheep are due to take part in a sheep shearing competition.  One of the highlights will be the ‘Most Appropriately Dressed’ Lady & Gentleman competitions judged by influencers Holly Carpenter and Kieran Corrigan.

With all that is happening on site tomorrow & wonderful weather forecast again Ratheniska, Co Laois is the place to be for Day 2 of the National Ploughing Championships.

With less than two weeks until one of Europe’s largest outdoor events, preparations in Ratheniska, Co Laois are seriously taking shape as this green field in the middle of Ireland transforms into the bustling hub that will become #Ploughing2024 taking place on September 17^th, 18^th & 19^th.

At today’s official launch, the media & special guests were given a sneak peek preview of what to expect as they were entertained by local performers from Laois while prize-winning animals, quality machines, fashion, horses & hounds were all on display. 

Launching the event, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “The Championships not only provides a national stage for showcasing all things agricultural, but also brings together people from all sectors of Irish society both rural and urban, to enjoy three days immersed in country living.”

There will be millions of euro worth of agricultural and plant machinery on display featuring an extensive range of cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment.  The leading manufacturers and agents will be present with specialist sales advisors and technical experts available for free consultations.  There has already been huge interest to enter the prestigious ‘Machine of the Year’ competition.

Visitors can take the opportunity to admire the marvellous quality livestock on display and learn about livestock management, genetics, nutrition and healthcare.  

Recent crowned World Ploughing Champions Jer Coakley, West Cork and Eamonn Tracey, Carlow were greeted with great applause as they arrived adorned with medals and trophies. 

There is no doubt that the entrepreneurial spark is alive and well in Ireland with an unprecedented number of diverse and exciting businesses, exhibiting at the “Local Enterprise Village” at this year’s Ploughing Championships.  The popular Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena is set to make a very welcome return with ground breaking technologies and cutting edge ideas that will amaze. 

Given the immense popularity of the Food & Lifestyle villages the huge ‘Dome’ & ‘Hub’ marquees are set to return creating the largest retail pop-up in the country.  The ‘Ploughing’ is a haven for foodies, as all sectors of the food chain are represented from producer to retailer, artisan foods, craft beers, celebrity chefs, cookery competitions and much more.

In the ploughing stakes the addition of the European Vintage Championships on Tuesday and Wednesday is attracting participants and their followers from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Belgium, Ireland & Germany.

A particularly strong programme has attracted entries from all around the country and Northern Ireland bringing the number preparing to plough in Laois to over 300 for the 3 days, where a true ploughing master class will be on display.

All of the firm favourite attractions are set to return this year such as Fashion Shows, Meggers, Sheep Shearing, Hunt Chase, Fun Fair, Food Trail, Craft Demonstrations, Pony Games, Live Music and Dancing, Vintage Ploughing, Threshing, Fun Fair, Loy Digging, with celebrities and well known faces everywhere this year’s ‘Ploughing’ is not to be missed.