Widely referred to as “the Ploughing Match” or simply “the Ploughing” this is rural Ireland’s biggest annual event by far.
Nominally a contest pitting the skills of international ploughmen against each other it is also a massive trade show, with livestock and machinery exhibitions, trade stalls, craft stalls, vintage motors and even fashion shows, home entertainment, interior design and art exhibitions. It’s difficult to convey how large and diverse this occasion is.
The beginning of this news report from the 2013 event will give you a flavour of the event and of its enormous scale.
All Ireland is there, and they are not deterred by rain or hail, coming in their tens of thousands whatever the weather. The event not only attracts the farming community but also a huge cross-section of people including overseas visitors and really does have something for everyone.
The ploughing competitions themselves are fascinating to watch, with an incredible level of skill in evidence as competitors vie to impress the judges with the straightness and perfection of their furrows. The horse-drawn plough classes draw huge crowds to enjoy the now rare site of massive powerful horses working happily and in harmony with their owners.
If you plan to attend, get there early. Its impossible to emphasise enough how big a crowd will attend and the resulting traffic chaos worsens as the day progresses.
Date and details for 2023 subject to confirmation.
National Ploughing Association
National Ploughing Championships 2023
THE 92nd NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL RETURN TO THE HUGELY SUCCESSFUL RATHENISKA SITE IN CO. LAOIS Europe’s largest outdoor event, “The National Ploughing Championships” is set to return to Ratheniska, Co Laois from September 19th to 21st for a second year given the triumph of this year’s event. The total attendance figures for the 2022 ‘Ploughing’ came to an amazing 277,000 visitors ...
As the traffic flows from the car parks this evening, the total attendance figure for the 91ST National Ploughing Championships came to a massive 277,000 over the 3 days, with exhibitors and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying themselves. This marks one of the most successful National Ploughing Championships to date as it returned for the first time in three years to its full glory. NPA Manag...
