All hands to the Ploughing
Westmeath Ploughing
Ploughing competitors representing Westmeath in Stradbally are:
Senior - Christy Carton. 2 Furrow Junior - Paul Daly and Ralph Tyrrell. 3 Furrow Match - Andrew Ennis. Under 28 Conventional - Raymond Halpin. Farmerette - Bernie McCarthy. Macra - Michael Halpin. Vintage - John Sweeney. Loy Senior - Terry Moore. Loy Junior - Paddy Boyhan. Ladies - Shirley Lemont. Best of luck to all our competitors.
The 40th anniversary dinner dance of Westmeath Ploughing Association is on Saturday November 9 in The Greville Arms Hotel (8pm).
Ratheniska, Stradbally was a busy spot over the weekend as exhibitors put the finishing touches to their stands for the 82nd National Ploughing Championships.
As always, there will be something for everyone at the ploughing, and there are a few firsts this year too: a dedicated playground for children constructed by Laois Ploughing in conjunction with Go Play/Kompan (Block 3, Row V, Stand 364); and the Irish Language quarter – Pobal Na Gaeilge brings together several Irish language groups to provide visitors with an array of events including musical sessions, competitions, CD launches and information on products, services, and supports available through Irish.
The estimated 180,000 visitors will have plenty more to enjoy as well. The Bandstand will witness the first ever Tweetup at the event (Wednesday at 2pm). It is organised by Elaine Hall @newfarmerette, and all tweeters are welcome to attend the #Ploughing event.
There is a sport and fitness theme running through many of the stands at this year’s event, and several will have celebrity sports visitors. For example, rugby fans will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with Paul O’Connell at the Pinergy stand, or with John (The Bull) Hayes at the Progressive Genetics stand, while Alan Quinlan will be at the NDC tent.
Tipperary hurler Pádraic Maher and Dublin hurling manager Anthony Daly will be at the NDC tent, and the Cumann Luthchleas Gael tent at Block 4, Row S, Stand 308 is a must for GAA lovers.
Boxing fans can meet Irish Olympian Darren O’Neill at the National Dairy Council (NDC) dome – and participate in virtual penalty shootouts.
Machinery continues to be a main attraction at the event, and all the top brands will be showing their latest models, and have representatives on hand to answer queries. Some of the top plant and machinery brands this year include New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Valtra, Landini, McCormick, Case IH, Deutz-Fahr, Shire, Class, Manitou, Zetor, Tumosan and Kubota. For those with a specific interest in tractors, the Live Tractor Build is returning – daily at Block 1, Row W, Stand 375.
Ploughing is, of course, at the centre of it all, and more than 300 competitors will be in action over the three days.
The National Ploughing Championships start today, Tuesday September 24, and run to Thursday 26. Tickets on the gate, €20 for adults, €15 for students and senior citizens, U12s free.