A flavour of Longford Ploughing 2023

Next Sunday, our local ploughing competitors will be focused on qualifying to represent County Longford in the National Ploughing Championship 2023 in Ratheniska, Co Laois, which is scheduled for September 19 -21.
Over many years the best ploughmen from neighbouring counties have joined us at the Longford Ploughing match.
Our event is six months after the National Ploughing and leading ploughmen keen for a challenge against the strongest talents have converged on Longford. We wish all competitors well in their endeavours as they aspire to turn the sod to perfection.

Tractor Ploughing
The rivalry on the field which is created by so many visiting competitors, brushes off our home team, raising the standard of ploughing in Longford year after year.
Our rising home stars, Anthony Reynolds, Martin Reilly, Sean Monaghan, Andrew Stewart and Daniel Haughey will cherish competitive match practice near home and look forward to a win on home ground.
We have lots of space to accommodate all who venture to join us, as we turn the furrow on Sunday.

Farmerette
The Farmerette, sponsored by Charlie Burns, Agricultural Consultant. This event started in The Rampark in Kenagh in 1960, and next Sunday’s competition is our 60th Farmerette event. Now in its Diamond year, we thank all the ladies who made this event so special, over the years.
Reigning Queen Eimear Monaghan from Edgeworthstown ploughed into 2nd place and came home with a National Silver medal from the National Ploughing in Screggan Tullamore in 2019.
The winner of the Farmerette class on Sunday, will receive the Longford Ploughing Association Tiara and ‘Queen of the Plough Sash’ specially handcrafted by Edre Mills.
The celebrations will continue after Easter as all roads lead to Abbeylara parish centre on Saturday night April 15 for ‘The Queen of the Plough Dance’. We all look forward to celebrating the Crowning of the Queen of the Plough (sponsored by Charlie Burns, Agricultural Consultant) with a great night's dancing to live music from the LOLS.
All profits from the Queen of the Plough will be presented to the Granard branch of St Christopher’s Services.

Get your Queen of the Plough dance tickets on the field, early on Sunday, to enter a draw for; 1st Prize - Coolamber House full day garden course & dinner for 2 , value €250; 2nd Prize - Half ton of animal feed sponsored by Granard ‘Home & Farm’; 3rd Prize -€100 of firewood sponsored by Jim Tynan.

Horse Ploughing
Once a familiar sight on the farm, now you only see horse ploughing at events like this. A fascinating sight for spectators, Longford ploughing has always succeeded in encouraging horse ploughing competitions. Noel Hand from Monaghan is always keen to travel and has booked his spot early.

Vintage Ploughing
For anyone with a passing interest in vintage machines, a vintage ploughing competition is paradise. Watching a range of old tractors, in mint condition and tuned to perfection to compete with one another is inspiring. We always had a very spectacular turnout in our vintage tractor classes. A large entourage of vintage outfits from other counties converge on Longford Ploughing, attracted by the high standard of our vintage ploughmen. Longford vintage ploughing stalwarts include Eamon Kiernan, David Stewart and Paddy Whitney.
Charlie Stewart has pursued the trailer plough technique and we have competitors from Co Down coming to compete alongside Charlie.

Macra Class & U21 Class
We have two separate competitions here for younger competitors. So two opportunities here for a chance of qualifying for the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois next September.
Our National Silver medallist Daniel Haughey from Edgeworthstown, will be in action again, eager to qualify again but who knows what way the soil will crumble.

Friends of Ferguson
We have a Ferguson Class to capture the hearts of vintage enthusiasts with a passion for Ferguson 20 outfits. Ferguson TVO or Diesel tractors with Ferguson ploughs qualify for this Class.
What a wonderful way to reminisce and celebrate memories with children and grandchildren, exploring the development of Ferguson over years. The familiar red & grey Ferguson 35, first appeared in 1957, all of sixty five years ago.

Results
An evening meal compliments of Longford Ploughing is arranged in the site marquee for competitors and helpers. Results of all ploughing competitions will be announced on site, after dinner in the Marquee.

Exhibition
A selection of new innovative machinery from all our local farm machinery dealerships will be on display.
Janine Bartley, the Community Safety Coordinator with Longford County Council, will display the Property Marking machine, an aid to protecting machinery.
Lots of attractions on offer at trade stands, from tractor decals to home baking.
Don’t miss ‘Farmer Phil’s’ stand on Sunday. His centrepiece is his new toy, a Kivi Pekka stone picker, on display for all to see in Granard.
Trade stand enquiries can be directed to exhibition co-coordinator; Kevin Reilly on 087 688 1453.