Up to 300,000 people are expected to visit Ratheniska, Co Laois, this week for what promises to be a great experience for the whole family
It’s the biggest event in the agricultural calendar and this year’s Ploughing Championships is set to be a cracking three days of farming, food, fashion, talks, activities and lots more from 19 – 21 September.
National Brown Bread Making Competition
Broadcaster Síle Seoige will serve as MC for the three days and will also host the semi-finals and final of the National Brown Bread Baking Competition, in conjunction with the National Ploughing Association and Irish Countrywomen’s Association. The competition will see a number of Ireland’s top amateur brown bread bakers go head-to-head in a live final for the chance to win €15,000. Additionally, the winner will see their brown bread stocked in all 160 ALDI stores nationwide for the next year.
Welly-throwing
If you think your throwing arm is up to it, why not see if you can get yourself into the Guinness Book of World Records for welly-throwing? Farming organisation Macra is hoping 800 people will all throw a welly at the same time, to break the current world record held by a similar group in the UK. The event will take place on Wednesday at noon so keep an eye on social media for an exact location on the day.
The Irish Farmer’s Journal and Irish Country Living stands
It wouldn’t be the Ploughing Championships without The Irish Farmer’s Journal and once again, the team will be hosting a series of panel discussions and technical talks at this year’s event. As well as having the craic, audiences will learn more about farm sectors and market outlooks, as well as the critical importance of agriculture to the economic and social wellbeing of Ireland.
Meanwhile, the Irish Country Living team will also be on hand to meet readers and chat about all things Irish made, in addition to hosting a cookery demo with top Irish chef, Neven Maguire, each day at 1pm. You can find them on Block 2, Row 19, Stand 314.
Ireland’s Fittest Farmer
Have you got what it takes to be the fittest farmer in the country? If so, Davy Fitzgerald wants to see what you’ve got to offer! At this year’s National Ploughing Championships he will oversee Ireland’s Fittest Farmer Senior and Junior and will be judging to see which farmer has what it take. To take part or just to watch what happens, visit the Zurich Farm Insurance each day from 10am-12pm or 2pm-4pm – Block: 2 Row: 25 Stand: 381.
The Aldi Marquee
Over the course of the three-day festival, Aldi will present an action-packed programme with daily cooking demonstrations, top musical performances, panel discussions and more. Plus, a number of special guests and well-known faces (Roz Purcell, Rory’s Stories and the Flemings) will be popping in throughout the festival with more details to be shared on the brand’s social media channels each day!
Bonus event:
The Ploughing
If you want to get the real experience at this year’s event, make sure to check out a couple of the 24 national ploughing matches taking place over the three days. As well as showcasing the more modern technology (reversible ploughs), there will also be the traditional horse-drawn variety. Definitely not to be missed!
