From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media returns to the National Ploughing Championships in 2023.
Visitors to this year’s National Ploughing Championship can look forward to an exciting and vibrant offering at the Culture, Creativity, Innovation and Sport Marquee, located at Block 3, Row 23, within the Government of Ireland Village.
Creative Ireland, Sport Ireland, Screen Ireland and the Council of National Cultural Institutions will all have exhibition stands in the marquee, which will be fully staffed over the three days to welcome visitors, and demonstrate all of the excellent work they undertake and the services they offer.
Sport Ireland will be on hand promoting the various opportunities for sport across the nation. With information on National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships, Trails, and the soon-to-be launched Get Ireland Active database, Sport Ireland staff will be more than happy to chat through opportunities to be active in Ireland.
Screen Ireland, the national agency for the Irish film, television drama, animation and documentary industry, will have a dedicated information stand to showcase the National Talent Academies – a skills-led initiative to support the development of a diverse creative talent and crew base nationwide at all levels. Staff will be on hand to answer queries and provide information about the wide range of careers opportunities available, as well as highlighting key resources, supports and contacts.
Marking the centenary of Ireland joining the League of Nations in 1923, the department is delighted to feature the National Archives’ Exhibition: On an Equal Footing with All: Ireland at the League of Nations, 1923-1946. The exhibition is part of the Government of Ireland’s Decade of Centenaries’ 2012-2023 National Programme, with the National Archives, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Irish Academy. It explores the early ambitions of the new Irish state as it asserted its independence within an international framework, and the lasting impact it had on modern diplomacy.
Another featured exhibition will be the Wall of Wool, a large scale public participation project produced by Creative Ireland that will centre around knitting, crafting and the Irish Wool Industry. The project invites visitors to the Ploughing to participate in small scale knitting challenges that will be added to the Wall of Wool, which when completed will measure 8 metres by 2.5 metres.
More highlights include:
Immersive VR Demonstrations - Screen Ireland and the National Talent Academies will be offering a short interactive Virtual Reality (VR) experience for visitors. The VR experience will comprise of a short 5-minute demonstration using a dedicated VR headset and motion sensing controllers. Participants will have the opportunity to use this hardware to explore a range of immersive storytelling experiences in a virtual audio-visual environment.
Holographic AR Experience - Screen Ireland and the National Talent Academies in association with Volograms will be programming a unique Augmented Reality (AR) experience for visitors. Participants will have the opportunity to create a digital 3D holograph of themselves (a vologram) and be able to interact with it creatively by adding filters and text, superimposing it in live environment backgrounds and sharing on social media.
Virtual Reality Kayaking - The experience of kayaking is a unique blend of adventure and tranquillity. As you navigate the waterways, whether they be serene lakes, meandering rivers, or even challenging whitewater rapids, you'll find yourself engaged in a dance between the power of the currents and your own determination. The paddle becomes an extension of your body, your strokes dictating the direction and pace of your journey. Your muscles work in harmony as you execute each stroke, propelling yourself forward with a sense of accomplishment.
Virtual Reality Golf - Virtual reality golf is an immersive and interactive experience that combines the sport of golf with cutting-edge technology. Players wear VR headsets to step into a digital golfing environment, where they can explore realistic golf courses and engage in virtual gameplay. Using motion controllers or specialized golf club peripherals, players can swing, putt, and navigate through the virtual courses, providing a more immersive and lifelike golfing experience. The technology tracks the player's movements and translates them into the virtual world, allowing for a highly engaging and realistic simulation of golfing.
Percussion Workshops - Discover the world of rhythm with the National Concert Hall's group percussion workshops. With skilled facilitators, you will experience a rhythmic journey exploring the drumming traditions of the world. This workshop offers a chance to learn about music together in a fun and interactive environment. No drumming or musical experience is needed to participate, and all drums and percussion instruments will be supplied.
Harvest Knot Demonstration - Join the Education Department of the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life and learn how to make a Harvest Knot. Harvest knots are knots of woven straw that were made as part of the harvest celebration. As the year’s crop had to be drawn in by hand, the farmers would put on a dance as a thank you to the all the community who had helped during this busy time of year. Guests wore harvest knots. Usually, they were made in two types: an elaborate braid with the corn ears still attached which was worn by the women and a less ornamental twist which was made for the men. People sometimes exchanged these knots as tokens of affection. Women wore them in their hair and men attached them to clothes on their chest.
Performances
Laois Trad Orchestra - Established in 2016 to provide a platform for the strong interest in traditional music among young people in Co. Laois.
Music Gen Rock Band - Don’t miss this group of rising young rock stars coming straight to the Ploughing from Ireland’s heartlands.
The Malva Ukrainian Choir - Includes 25 members of the Ukrainian community who have been living in County Laois.
Bass Brothers Country Band - All the musicians in the Bass Brothers Country Band come from the Traveller Community.
Laois Trad Group - This 11 piece group is a smaller iteration of the Laois Trad Orchestra which is supported by Music Generation Laois.
Speaking ahead of the Ploughing Championships, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and the Media, Catherine Martin, said:
"Arts, culture and sport has strong representation at the National Ploughing Championships again this year with a fantastic line up of events and experiences planned. Talented musicians from many different backgrounds and traditions will be a great source of entertainment to the visiting audience over the three days of the event. While experiences such as virtual reality and augmented reality will allow visitors to immerse themselves in new creative technologies. In addition to our craft, music workshops and exhibits, the Marquee has something for everyone to enjoy.
“I particularly encourage visitors to attend the National Archives exhibition: On an Equal Footing with All: Ireland at the League of Nations, 1923-1946. This exhibition will bring a pivotal time in our country’s history alive and will showcase official documents, photographs, recollections, letters and ephemera, and chart the exciting early adventures of the new State as it began to forge its international identity.
“I wish the very best of luck to all who are exhibiting, performing, and participating in workshops and sharing their knowledge and creative practice as part of my department’s schedule of events.”
Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne said:
"It is wonderful to see the department’s programme of events for the National Ploughing Championships this year. I am particularly pleased to see that Sport Ireland will be showcasing their wide range of services and activities and will be on hand to promote opportunities in sport and provide visitors with information on the work of the National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and Trails. I wish everyone involved in the department’s marquee great success for the three days of the event.”