Belton family proud to sponsor and host 88th Longford Ploughing Championships in Bunlahy

Plans are well advanced for the 88th Longford Ploughing Championships. Niall and Paul Belton will host the flagship event in Bunlahy on Sunday, March 24. The main sponsor is Midland Agri Consultants, Granard.

Longford ploughing enthusiasts will gather for the qualification event that will allow them to represent County Longford in the 93rd National Ploughing Championship in Ratheniska, Co Laois, scheduled for September 17-19.

Leading ploughmen from Longford and surrounding counties will converge on Bunlahy to show off their skills at turning the perfect sod.

There are a range of classes in which the competitors will face off against each other including: Farmerette, Vintage Ploughing and Macra Class and U21 Class.

Among the many attractions expected to bring a large attendance into the area Senior Tractor Class, the popular Horse Ploughing Class, loy digging and an impressive turnout of vintage tractors will join the local ploughing heroes.

Other features of the day are the Friends of Ferguson, Exhibition and, of course, Queen of the Plough.

“It's a 16 acre site, so there's plenty of room to accommodate a large crowd,” host Paul Belton told the Leader, “It's very accessible, in the middle of a big farm. The land is usually very dry, if the weather is good then we expect a big crowd.”

Paul, who is married to Rosie, has one son, Robert, with the next addition to his family due the week of the ploughing, says the accessibility will play a part in attracting visitors, “The site is a 10 minute walk from Creegan's pub, so it's easy to get to and there will be lots of entertainment there after.”

The genial host says this year's show will have broad appeal: “It really is a family focused event, there's a lot of children's attractions.”

Caption: Staff members at Midland Agri Consultants, Granard main sponsors of this year's County Longford Ploughing Championships and field day which will be held on Sunday, March 24. Pictured l to r; Casey McNamara, Caroline Mulcroney, Orla Brady, Ciara Brady, Shauna Heaney, Aisling Kiernan, Paul Belton and Tommy Quinn Picture: Frank McGrath

Sponsors Midland Agri Consultants Ltd was established in 2017 by Paul Belton. It is based in Granard and is one of the largest private farm advisory businesses in the country.

The business provides a complete farm advisory service for all farming needs and has clients spanning fourteen counties; their biggest share of farming clients are from Co Cavan, while farmers from Longford, Monaghan, Leitrim and as far away as Donegal are travelling to Granard, to avail of the services offered.

The business employs a team of nine, which, along with Paul, includes three other qualified advisers. They are Abbeylara man Thomas Quinn, who has been with the company from the very start. Aisling Kiernan, from Ballinalee, who joined the team in 2020, bringing a wealth of knowledge after spending many years working in the same profession in Co Tipperary. And finally, the newest member of the team, Ciara Brady for Co Cavan, who joined in 2022.

Paul and all at Midland Agri Consultants are delighted to be the main sponsor of the 2024 Longford Ploughing Championships and wish it every success.

Paul is the 3rd generation of Belton’s farming 300 acres in the locality, along with his brother Niall and father Gerard. The Belton’s predominantly farm beef cattle, with some sucklers and calf rearing also.

In more recent years, the Belton’s have re-established their Agri-Contracting business, which is going from strength to strength, year on year. The summer months are busy with mowing and baling, with two McHale Fusion balers on the go, at the one time.

The Belton Family are also very proud to facilitate the hosting of this year’s Ploughing in Bunlahy and wish to express a sincere Céad Míle Fáilte to all.