Representatives from various farming organisations attended the launch of the event, which runs from 20 to 22 September.

Anna May McHugh, managing director of the National Ploughing Association for nearly 50 years, praised the help her team has received and outlined how much the championships have expanded in recent years.

“I can go back to the time here we had 24 or 25 exhibitors, today we have in excess of 1,600 catering for all types of business. So I have seen the growth of the competition; not on my own, I have a wonderful team of helpers.”

New attractions at this year’s National Ploughing Championships will include the Machine of the Year competition, charity calves auction and Ireland’s first ever tractor football matches.

Disappointment

McHugh also expressed her disappointment that no Department of Agriculture representative attended the launch.

“On a personal comment, I would like to say how disappointed I am today that we have no representative from the Department of Agriculture. With the crisis that is confronting the farming people today for grain, for beef and for dairy and I am surprised that we haven’t them here,” she commented.

In relation to the ploughing competition, her daughter and assistant managing director Anna Marie McHugh said: “It is a new challenge every year but it is a huge sense of achievement. On the day, when things are running smoothly, you really feel like you are doing something for rural Ireland.”

Last year’s competition attracted 281,000 people over the three days.

Listen to an interview with Anna Marie McHugh in our podcast below: