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This year marked the second consecutive year in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, which drew crowds of 243,000 people across the three days, say organisers. Speaking on the final day, National Ploughing Association 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.”
The final day got off to a busy start with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen taking in 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 and machinery demonstrations, livestock, live entertainment and plenty more across the site throughout the day.