Press release
McConalogue welcomes world ploughing competitors
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has welcomed competitors from across the globe who will take part at the World Ploughing Contest this week.
The National Ploughing Championships are taking place in Ratheniska, Co Laois from 20-22 September with 300,000 people expected to attend.
As well as the National Ploughing Championships, the World Ploughing Contest will take place in Co. Laois this week. Competitors from over 25 different countries including India, Uganda, Ghana, New Zealand and Germany will be taking part.
The World Ploughing Contest was due to take place in Russia this year. However, due to the invasion of Ukraine, a new host country had to be found. The National Ploughing Association (NPA) took on the challenge of staging of the World Contest at short notice.
Minister McConalogue paid tribute to the NPA for ensuring that the 67th running of the competition could take place:
"I commend the work of Anna May and Anna Marie McHugh for acting swiftly to ensure the World Ploughing Contest could take place by bringing them to Ireland. It has been a huge logistical challenge putting it all in place but I know it will be a success."
The Minister also confirmed that his department has been engaging with the NPA to provide support in bringing the World Ploughing Contest to Ireland:
"Ploughing is an art and a skill that is celebrated across the world but we do it better than anyone. That's why it's great to see that the Ploughing is coming home. I have approved in principle a financial support package to help the NPA with the running of the Worlds. I again commend the work of the NPA and wish everyone a great week in Laois."