Large crowds in north Longford enjoy top class ploughing and plenty of family entertainment

Colmcille Ploughing & Family Fun Day, which took place last Sunday, marked two and half decades of the community gathering with a hugely successful event.

The organisers had to pull the plug on the social gathering's first scheduled date owing to the consecutive yellow weather warnings that made conditions unsuitable for ploughing, but the fine weather over the weekend enhanced the experience for all who attended.

A downpour on Monday morning emphasised how fortunate the organisers were: “It was a great day, compared to today. We're cleaning up the field now. We really struck it lucky with the weather yesterday,” chairperson of the organising committee, Kevin Reilly, told the Leader.

PICTURES | Ploughmen from across Ireland and top entertainment in Longford at Colmcille Ploughing

“It threatened to rain for a bit, there were a few drops that fell around two o'clock, but it blew off,” Kevin said.

The 2024 Colmcille Ploughing & Family Fun Day, which celebrated its 25th year, took place on the farm of Kieran Reilly’s at Smear Hill, Aughnacliffe. The event was a day for Longford families, but it also attracted ploughmen from across Ireland.

There was a range of ploughing class competitions taking place on the day: “We had classes in tractor and vintage and loy ploughing.

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“There was a good turnout of vintage ploughmen, because the national vintage competition is actually on grass this year.
“It's usually in stubble, and we had competitors who wanted to practice in advance of the national ploughing. We had a man from Down, we had men from Louth, Monaghan, a really good turnout of ploughmen,” Kevin said.

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The competition is the main draw, but the entertainment on offer is hard to beat: “We had a good turnout from the public. We had lots of the kids' entertainment, that went well.

“We had bouncing castles and inflatable football pitches. Peter McKinnon made balloon models and Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse attended.

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“There was free face painting for the kids with JoJo’s party time, amusements, and animals on site. There was also music on the day by well known Longford country music star Mick Flavin, along with the brilliant Seamus Farrell, Susan Lou and Johnny Joyce. Father McKeown blessed the field before the commencement of ploughing.”

Kevin said that the day is all about bringing the community together: “It's great when people get together like this, particularly when you have the good weather for it.

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“A lot of the children will be back to school today, so it was the last weekend of the summer holidays for them.”

The organisers wound up the day's entertainment later on: “We had a raffle last night in Murtagh's Bar. The prizes were hampers and music was by Albatross. It was a good night,” Kevin concluded.

The organisers thanked the main sponsor of the 25th Colmcille Ploughing & Family Fun Day, Mark Cadam, who specialises in haulage, quarry, plant hire and supplying the equestrian industry.

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