A flavour of Longford Ploughing 2022

Over many years the best tractor ploughmen in Ireland competed at the Longford Ploughing match. The Longford Ploughing is six months after the National Ploughing and leading ploughmen keen for a challenge against the strongest talents have converged on Longford.

The rivalry on the field, brushed off our home team, raising the standard of ploughing in Longford year after year.

Our home stars, Martin Reilly, Andrew Stewart and Daniel Haughey will cherish competitive match practice near home. We have lots of space to accommodate all who venture to join us, as we spread our wings again on Sunday.

Farmerette

Sponsored by Charlie Burns, Agricultural Consultant, the Farmerette event started in The Rampark in Kenagh in 1960, and next Sunday’s competition is our 59th Farmerette event. Thanks to all the ladies who made this event so special, over the years.

Reigning Queen Eimear Monaghan from Edgeworthstown ploughed into 2nd place and came home with a National Silver medal from the National Ploughing in Screggan Tullamore in 2019.

The winner of the Farmerette class will receive the Longford Ploughing Association Tiara and ‘Queen of the Plough Sash’, specially handcrafted by Edre Mills.

Crowning the Queen of the Plough, sponsored by Charlie Burns, Agricultural Consultant, is set for Belle’s Kitchen Marquee on the ploughing field on Sunday evening. So fingers crossed that we have some pleasant weather.

Horse Ploughing

Once a familiar sight on the farm, now you only see horse ploughing at events like this. A fascinating sight for spectators, Longford ploughing has always succeeded in encouraging horse ploughing competitions. Noel Hand from Monaghan has booked his spot.

Eamon and Joseph Egan from Kenagh and Bernard and Brian Casey from Killoe, have kept the art alive and they also compete regularly.

Vintage Ploughing

For anyone with a passing interest in vintage machines, a vintage ploughing competition is paradise. Watching a range of old tractors, in mint condition and tuned to perfection to compete with one another is inspiring. We always had a very spectacular turnout in our vintage tractor classes.

A large entourage of vintage outfits from other counties converge on Longford Ploughing, attracted by the high standard of our vintage ploughmen.

Longford vintage ploughing stalwarts include Eamon Kiernan, David Stewart and Peter & Paddy Whitney. Charlie Stewart has pursued the trailer plough technique. This year Charles’s son William is competing also.

Macra Class & U21 Class

We have two separate competitions here for younger competitors. So two opportunities here for a chance of qualifying for the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois next September. Our National Silver medallist Daniel Haughey will be in action again, eager to qualify again but who knows what way the soil will crumble.

Friends of Ferguson

We have a Ferguson Class to capture the hearts of vintage enthusiasts with a passion for Ferguson 20 outfits. Ferguson TVO or Diesel tractors with Ferguson ploughs qualify for this Class. What a wonderful way to reminisce and celebrate memories with children and grandchildren, exploring the development of Ferguson over years. The familiar red & grey Ferguson 35, first appeared in 1957, over sixty years ago.

86th Longford Ploughing Championships classes & sponsors

Main Sponsor: Robinstown Haulage

Celebrity Ploughing - Longford Credit Union

Senior & Intermediate - Belle’s Kitchen, Granard

Junior - Philip Brady Agri Contractor

Farmerette - Charlie Burns Agricultural Consultant

Under 21 - Nally’s Forecourt, Ballymahon

3 Furrow - Enda Gerety Farm Machinery

Under 28 - Paddy Mulvihill, Castlecore Agri

Reversible - Castle Inn , Newtownforbes

Macra Class - John Maguire, Bus Hire

Vintage 2 Furrow Mounted - Midland Restoration, Killashee

Vintage 2 Furrow Classic - Granard Credit Union

Vintage trailer - Michael Farrell Livestock Haulage, Castlewilder

Vintage Single Furrow - Longford/Westmeath Farmers Mart, Ballymahon

Special Fergie 20 tvo or diesel & Fergie plough - White’s Trailers, Abbeyshrule

Horse Class - McCormack Bros, Agri Contractors, Ballymahon

Horse Class under 40 - WR Shaw, Tullamore

Loy

Loy Senior - Meath Farm Machinery

Loy Junior - Dunphy’s SuperValu, Granard

Lady of the Loy - Sean Donohoe, Granard

Loy Under 21 - Paul Belton, Midland Agri Consultants

Loy Under 16 - T McHugh, Longford Hire, Athlone Rd, Longford

* Results of all ploughing competitions will be announced after dinner, in Belle’s Kitchen Marquee