Category: News

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.”

FBD’s CHILD SAFETY INITIATIVE RETURNS TO PLOUGHING FOLLOWING LAST YEAR’S SUCCESS

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh and FBD’s Head of Farm & Business Christy Doherty launch the FBD: Keeping You Safe Child Safety Wristband initiative again for this year’s National Ploughing Championships following the tremendous success last year. The white wristbands, which will be handed-out at all of the event entrances, allow for a contact phone number to be written on the band in case the wearer wanders off amidst the crowd.

Launching the FBD Keeping you Safe wristbands for Ploughing 2016 at Screggan, Tullamore 20-22 September. Christy Doherty, Head of Farm and Business FBD; Anna May McHugh, NPA managing director; NPA chairman PJ Lynam; Paul Lynam, Lynam Garden Furniture and Shamrocks footballers Ronan Connolly, David Gibbons and Daithí Guinan.
Picture: Alf Harvey/HRPhoto.ie

FBD’s Head of Farm & Business Christy Doherty said: “As one of the main sponsors of the National Ploughing Championships for over 25 years, we are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the National Ploughing Championship’s Child Safety Initiative. Our aim when launching this last year was to keep all children safe as they attend the event. This initiative proved so successful last year that we will now be supporting the NPA with our added commitment to making sure our staff are there at main entrances to make sure each child entering the event is issued with one of these wristbands. FBD’s ongoing farm safety campaign regularly focuses on child safety and we are investing significantly in our efforts to raise awareness of hazards for children on the farm. Every year, this event grows in popularity and it is therefore hoped that our FBD Keeping you safe wristbands will serve as a reassurance to anyone bringing children to the event.”

“This is an excellent safety concept not just for children but anyone who is slightly vulnerable attending Ploughing throughout the 3 days, as it allays fears and adds greatly to visitors’ enjoyment of the event. As all can now rest assured that loved ones will be returned safely in case they get lost in the large crowds that attend the Championships, the 2015 event was attended by 281,000 visitors,” said NPA MD Anna May McHugh

The launch took place in Lynams Garden Centre in Tullamore very close to this year’s Ploughing site in Screggan, Co Offaly. There is now great activity on the ploughing site to prepare for Europe’s largest outdoor event taking place from Tuesday 20^th of September to Thursday 22^nd.

There will be an array of new exhibitors as well as hundreds of outstanding veteran companies showcasing their products and services in dynamic ways.   With top quality Machinery Demonstrations, Fashions Shows, Prizewinning Animals, a Forestry Village, Pony Games, Sheep Dog Trials, Hunt Chase, Live Entertainment & Music, a Food Fayre, 4 x4 Off-road Driving Experience, Garden Displays, Tractor Football, International Business opportunities, an action-packed Innovation Arena and an extended Local Enterprise Village with something for all of the family, Ireland’s Farming Festival is not to be missed.

Tickets are now available online at www.npa.ie  or by phoning 059 8625125. Special student and group rates apply to pre-event orders and don’t forget children under 12 are free.