The 2021 National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois

Day 1

Gerard Kirby, Ballinascarty, Co Cork, competing in the U28 conventional class. \ Donal O'Leary

John Murphy, Carlow, in a hurry while competing in the U28 conventional class. \ Donal O'Leary

Dermot Ryan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, competing in the U28 reversible class. \ Donal O'Leary

Cyril McGuinness, Rush, Co Dublin, using his 1950 Renault tractor while competing in the vintage trail class. \ Donal O'Leary

Former professional footballer Jamie Redknapp poses with two spectators. \ Donal O' Leary

Berney Jordan, Ballymahon, Co Longford. \ Donal O'Leary

Paul and Sean Murphy, Borris, Co Carlow, pictured after Sean competed in the vintage trail class. \ Donal O'Leary

Liam White, Killoughey and Bosco Guinan, Geashill, Co Offaly, watching the ploughing. \ Donal O'Leary

Judge Pat Cooney, Clogh, Co Kilkenny, grabs a quick bite while on duty. \ Donal O'Leary

Day 2

A drone view of some of the action. \ Claire Nash

Watch: video action from the ploughing

Geoff Wycherly Jnr and Snr and Michael Whycherley.

Pa Maher and Eddie Dowling from Co Kilkenny. \ Claire Nash

Anna May McHugh. \ Claire Nash

Coleman Cogan from Sligo with Ned and Ted. \ Claire Nash

Moorepark '21 open day in Fermoy, Co Cork

The focus of this year's event was on delivering sustainability. \ Donal O'Leary

Cian Devaney, Teagasc, speaking during the grass demo. \ Donal O'Leary

Young dairy farmers John Riordan, Tom Breen and Michael Riordan, Hospital, Co Limerick, checking out the cows. \ Donal Donal O'Leary

Owen Cashman, Teagasc, telling farmers about the Solohead clover trials. \ Donal Donal O'Leary

Alan Crowe, Teagasc, shares a joke with some of the farmers in attendence. \ Donal O'Leary

Ciaran Taaffe, Ardee, Co Louth, and Mickey Dunne, Kells, Co Meath.\ Donal O'Leary

Moorepark 2021 Open Day. \ Donal O'Leary

A round up of some of the rest of the pictures from around the country

Martin Clifford reseeding for Billy Flannery at Ballycommon, Co Tipperary. \ Odhran Ducie

Brian Carolan checks on his suckler cows on his farm at Mullaghdillon, Slane, Co Meath. \ Lorraine O'Sullivan

Padraig and Leo Healy of Healy Farm Services, Macroom, scanning cows for Cal, Kevin and John Deasy, Aherla, Co Cork. \ Donal O'Leary

The results were good, showing an empty rate of 6% and 70% holding to first service. \ Donal O'Leary

Leo and Padraig Healy of Healy Farm Services, Macroom. \ Donal O'Leary

Farmer Keith Boyd gathering cattle grazing commonage at Carrickfinn Beach, Co Donegal. \ Clive Wasson

Sally Rowlett from Dromore West, Co Sligo, making new friends at a recent sale in Dowra Mart. \ Gerry Faughnan

Mike Walsh and Donal Donovjan from Ardagh, Co Clare, keeping a close eye on proceedings at Sixmilebridge Marts annual weanling show and sale and general cattle sale on Saturday last.

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