Remembering Longford ploughman Berney Jordan who loved sharing his craft with youngsters

Ploughing a field and preparing God’s earth to plant seed was part of Berney Jordan’s life, from the time he was strong enough to leave the cradle, until he ploughed his final furrow last October.

As a toddler, he followed his father Jimmy Joe and neighbour Sean McGrane as they ploughed the fields around his home in Lislom and Michael McCann’s in Corina.

Decades ago, before the hum of tractors, Berney’s ploughing career began with horse ploughing.

Berney’s first ploughing match was in Bunlahy in 1958. He won the tractor reversing competition in the Rampark, Kenagh in 1961.

As a competitor, plot scriber, secretary, steward or judge, Berney was devoted to all aspects of ploughing.

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His passion for sharing his ploughing craft with young people was outstanding, sharing his tractor and plough with novice ploughmen and women, during competitions every year.

As we follow his footsteps and break ground with horse or tractor and plough, we keep Berney’s words in our hearts, “I ploughed and tilled these fields many times for Michael Delaney’s grandfather James and Michael’s father Jimmy Delaney. Bits of tillage lingered on in this area for years after the Compulsory Tillage during the war and I spent many long hours in these fields with my father’s horses.”

From the smallest garden plot, to the open fields, Berney gave equal attention to every sod he turned.

A straight eye, a calm resourceful voice to guide a conversation his way with precision, Berney was always sowing seeds and exploring ideas.

Only last year Berney proposed a free shuttle bus service from Ballymahon to Longford Ploughing 2025.

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The seed sown by Berney has flourished since then.

On Sunday, O’Haire Concert Coaches will return again with Berney’s seed; providing a shuttle service to the ploughing site and also linking up as main sponsor of Longford Ploughing 2026. May all Berney’s seeds continue to flourish.

The late Bernard (Berney) Jordan, Terlicken, Ballymahon, who was County Longford Ploughing Association President, passed to his eternal reward on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Berney was predeceased by his parents James and Catherine Jordan, sisters Eileen, Mary and Margaret, his son-in-law Ernie Ellis, daughter-in-law Mary Jordan and grandson Patrick.

Deeply regretted by his loving wife Maureen, son James, daughter Mary, grandchildren Caroline, Bernard, David, Cathy, Helen, Gemma, Adam and their partners; great- grandchildren Ava, James, Ellie, Killian, Sophie, Evan, Theo, Oliver, Daniel, Daisy, Hallie and Elijah; sisters Kathleen (Mahon) and Kitty (Cassells), brother Andy and brother-in-law Des, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam