Excitement builds as Longford ploughing championships set to return to Ballymahon

The 2025 County Longford Ploughing Championships and Family Field Day on the Delaney family farm at Drinan, Ballymahon on Sunday, March 23, is only a week away now.

The main sponsors are James and Tracey Finnegan at P&J Finnegan car sales.

Only a short walk from Ballymahon town, along the banks of the canal, an exciting day's entertainment is in store from 12 noon, with live music and dancing to 4Degrees West and local artists.

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At last week’s ploughing launch in Skelly’s Bar & Restaurant, Longford Ploughing chairperson Barry White announced that ‘Sammy’ from Lucky Day Competitions is coming to plough.

The Ploughing committee has a full menu of tractor, vintage and horse ploughing with loy dig, trade exhibition and family activities to discover and explore.

It’s a novel way to celebrate the spring solstice, escape to the countryside, absorb some fresh air and enjoy activities like the dog show, IFA mobile pet farm, GRASSMEN and the traditional art of horse ploughing.

Longford Ploughing is also delighted to confirm that international ploughing star Dan Donnelly is coming to Ballymahon.

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Ireland’s ploughing team struck Gold at the 40th European Reversible Ploughing Championships just two weeks ago as on the first weekend in March, when Dan Donnelly from Wexford won the event.

Longford Ploughing PRO Luke Casey commented, “We are thrilled to have Dan joining us as our special guest, to celebrate his achievement with everyone attending Longford Ploughing.”

Mr Casey continued, “A big thank you to all our sponsors and patrons for your tremendous support at our Ploughing launch and to Skelly’s for hosting us and sponsoring the food. Can we remind everyone interested in participating to contact Kevin Reilly on 087 688 1453 or John Maye on 087 784 8206. “Keep in touch with facebook/longfordploughing to explore the full programme of activities and discover new surprises as they unfold and don’t miss the Ploughing Supplement in next week’s Longford Leader.”

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Queen of the Plough

‘The Queen of the Plough Dance' is on Saturday night April 19, in The Rustic Inn with live music by Simon Casey and his band.
The centrepiece of the dance is the crowning of the '62nd Queen of the Plough' and a great night's dancing. All profits from the dance plus raffle will go to Lough Ree Sub Aqua and County Longford Scuba Divers.

Novice Ploughing

A Novice Ploughing workshop was held in Taghshinny on Saturday last by kind permission of John Mills.

Everyone enjoyed a successful afternoon discovering the art of competition ploughing.

Congratulations to Bernard Egan from Glenmore, Kenagh winning a slot in the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, next September.

Thanks to Harriette Stewart and Midland Restoration for sponsoring all the food for the day.