This year’s Ploughing Vintage displays will include a wide range of static and working exhibits. Once again the country’s two vintage associations, Irish Vintage and Tractor Engine Association (IVETA) and the Irish Vintage Society (IVS), join forces to stage one of the major attractions, with hundreds of restored old farm machinery and tractors over three days of the event.

The large separated vintage area will have more than 70 tractors on display, many new for this year with local support from vintage enthusiasts on Offaly. This will feature a large display of oil engines, shown in various sizes and some working at pumping, the oldest of which is close to 100 years old.

The vintage area will also include some working displays of threshing and baling. Laois man Pat O’Connor will be showing his 1947 Fishers Humphries tractor operated hedgecutter, a very rare machine, while Andrew O’Connor will show his 1955 Claas Junior combine harvester. There will be a display of traditional farming crafts that always bring great attention.

For the working displays, PJ Seymour of Laois will be bringing his 1946 Garvie threshing machine as the centrepiece of the working area, with a 1972 New Holland baler handling the straw out of the back end of the machine. Joe Brophy will show his miniature steam engine and threshing kit, which is a fascination in itself.

The IVETA will have displays on rope and basket making, as well as handle making, while the IVS displays will include a tin smith as well as weaving and willow basket making. There will be a new display of a traditional farm house to complete a very impressive vintage area display.