Aaron, Lorcan and Ben Meredith, Stradbally, Co Laois, check out the machinery stands at Ploughing 2018. \ Donal O'Leary

Michael Lenihan, Cork East, before the intermediate conventional class starts at Ploughing 2018. \ Ramona Farrelly

Pictured on the Farmers Journal stand are Shane Kelly, Tuam, Colm Bolton and Mark Higgins, Caherlistrane, with Conor Flaherty, Headford, Co Galway. \ Donal O' Leary

Roisin Digby, Lisa Conway and Catherine Wynne of Trends Beauty Distribution, Co Galway, get their bearings. \ Donal O'Leary

Liz and Helen Scully from Birr come to the Ploughing every year. \ Ramona Farrelly

Dr Sharon McGuinness, chief executive of the HSA, shows an Embrace display of the real footware of real victims of farm accidents to Minister of State Pat Breen and Prof Gerry Boyle, Teagasc, as they opened the HSA exhibit at the National Ploughing Championships. At the event, the minister also launched a new HSA guide on the Safe use of Quad Bikes. \ Finbarr O'Rourke

James and Kathleen Kiely from Templemore. \ Ramona Farrelly

James and Justin Mahon from Offaly competing in the Intermediate Conventional Class. \ Ramona Farrelly

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Watch: early risers - Tipp family first to the Ploughing again