‘It's like an extended family’, says long serving former chair of Longford’s Ploughing Association

Ten years is a long time to head up a voluntary led organisation that has been at the forefront of community and rural life in any county.

But that’s precisely what Cynthia Cruise can attest to having served, and last December, handed in her notice as chairperson of Co Longford’s Ploughing Association.
History is a custom the Newtownforbes woman is no stranger to having served as the association’s first female chairperson in its near 90 year history.

Not that Cynthia was looking for any plaudits this week as she looked ahead to Sunday’s grand spectacle in her new role as understudy to incoming chairman Barry White.

“It’s nice for a change to see fresh faces and bring new ideas to Longford Ploughing,” she said.
“I am still vice chair but I can take a bit more of a relaxed role this year. There is not as much pressure on me which is nice and it (Ploughing Championships) is in very capable hands.”
Her spell in charge was one which did not come without its challenges. Covid, alongside a need to bring in fresh faces were tasks that Cynthia not just took on, but met with gusto.
Three barren years of pandemic enforced restrictions might have seen numbers and interest levels fall.

Cynthia’s tenacity and unerring work ethic more than matched those demands with her own inner desire to see Longford’s next generation of ploughmen and women back on the championship field while also expanding the event’s music and entertainment menu year after year.
“It has gone from strength to strength,” she said.
“There have been a lot more members that have come on board and younger members which is nice to see.

“Covid did hit us and affected everyone badly in affecting people from coming out even to weekly meetings which meant people hadn’t seen each other from anything from six months to a year. The social aspect hit a lot of people that way.”
Cynthia’s penchant for ploughing is as striking as it is intriguing. Like many of her peers involved in ensuring ploughing remains not just relevant, but a discernible pastime for others to pursue, it’s an organisation she believes fervently in.

“It would be,” she said, when asked if the committee she continues to serve on acted like an extended family.
“A lot of our members would have started off with a dad and then a son or grandson might come in so it does have that feel to it.”
And like any diehard committee member, Cynthia didn’t need asking twice when posed about the occasion’s overriding merits.

“For €10 you get a fabulous day out, you will see some of the top competitors in Ireland competing,” she said.2
“You have a great trade stand display, music on the stage, pet farm, dog show and there’s great entertainment with live music and a jiving competition so for €10 it’s an absolutely fantastic day out.”