The plough and the stars: Super day in Ballymahon at 90th Longford Ploughing Championships

“Apart from one small shower, the weather held up for us, thank God! A few even got sunburned!” says Barry White, chairperson of the Longford Ploughing Association. He adds with a laugh, “Sure we got a fair burnin’ ourselves when we were setting up on Saturday!” 

A crowd just shy of 3,000 descended upon Michael and Claire Delaney’s farm in Drinan, Ballymahon last Sunday for the much anticipated 90th Ploughing Championships.

In fact, such was the  volume that every 15 minutes, a shuttle bus - one of seven provided by this year’s main sponsor O’Haire Concert Coaches - left Ballymahon Mart, ferrying attendees to and from the very busy event site. 

The provision of a free shuttle bus service was the brain child of the late Bernard (Berney) Jordan who suggested it only last year.

It was this idea that first led to coach company owners Anthony and Josephine O'Haire becoming involved in an official capacity, something they were keen to do as a means of thanking the community for all the support they have shown their business.

PICTURES | Thousands enjoy a taste of rural living at top class Longford ploughing event

In addition to the ploughing, there was plenty of music, entertainment and trade stands to keep the crowd engaged. For followers of agri-social media accounts, there was also an element of celeb spotting as many well-known faces turned out to enjoy the event and even compete in a celebrity ploughing category.  

As he looks back on the success of the event, Barry says they are thrilled with this year’s proceedings.  

“We had almost 3,000 people and that’s not counting kids, OAPs, or complimentary guests of sponsors. We’re delighted with how it went. There was a great atmosphere all day.”   

Currently, the ploughing committee is in search of a new Longford location for next year’s championships. Although the Delaney farm in Ballymahon has been the perfect setting for a second consecutive year, Barry says they would never use the same location for more than two years running. 

Speaking about the actual ploughing itself, Barry says, “There were seven plots ploughed by horse on Sunday and they came from all over the country. There was also 12 loy digging, and 56 conventional ploughing as well.”  

Over the course of the day, a number of well known faces could be spotted in the crowds and on the ploughing field.  

Recalls Barry “At the opening ceremony on Sunday, we had Anna May McHugh - the main woman in the National Ploughing Association. Anna May was there along with her daughter Anna Maria. PJ Lynam of the NPA was also there. We had more celebrities than we thought possible. We had Sammy Heaney from SammyTV, Tyre Warrior (Ciaran McCormack) local to Ballymahon, Farmer Phil and his dad Father Phil (Derek), Eoin Lynch from Cork, and the Farrellys from Oakdale Farm.”

PICTURES | Super day in the sun at Ballymahon for brilliant 90th Longford Ploughing event

He added, “Farmer Phil’s dad Derek also organised a Massey 1200 for the celebrity ploughing and everyone I mentioned took part which was a great attraction. There was a great buzz around the place.” 

In addition to the very popular jiving competition, which was sponsored by Whites Trailers, there was plenty of musical entertainment from the bands on the day, ‘Ruaile Buaile’, and local band, ‘Creeva’.

There was also a fun fair, as well as a display of the Porsche tractor which is owned by local man Pauric Connolly and currently undergoing a full renovation by Ballymahon secondary students as part of their TY project.  

The organisation’s Queen of the Plough and Presentation Night will take place in the Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule on April 25. 

Ruaile Buaile will be performing on the night and all proceeds after expenses will go towards the new Ballymahon Playground.  

“We have a great committee,” says Barry. “If we didn’t have a strong committee, we  wouldn't get to do it at all.”