Longford Ploughing: A great day in Bunlahy

A long overdue pleasant sunny morning on Sunday, meant it was third time lucky for the County Longford Ploughing Championships. After a spring of incessant wet weather last week's dry spell allowed the Ploughing to go ahead, five weeks later than usual.

Sunday's event in Bunlahy was one of the largest crowds to gather at Longford Ploughing in recent years. A tremendous turnout of happy spectators and large number of loy and ploughing entries it's testament to the resilience of the farming community when faced with any challenge.

Full compliments to the 51 ploughing competitors who completed their plots on Niall and Paul Belton's farm in Bunlahy. Ground conditions were excellent for ploughing and also for parking and the soil remained in good fettle even after an April shower dampened spirits around 3pm.

Full compliments to all our sponsors, led by main sponsor Midland Agri Consultants Granard for keeping their shoulders to the wheel through all the heavy rain over the past few months. Compliments to our hosts Niall and Paul Belton for upgrading the farm roadways in preparation for Sunday last, giving competitors and exhibitors the chance to bring lorries and vans on site with comfort.

Congratulation's to Edgeworthstown ploughman Sean Monaghan, winner of the Longford Senior Ploughing title and to Newtownforbes lady  Cynthia Geelan on winning Queen of the Plough. Cristy Carton from Kilbeggan won the senior open ploughing.

The loy tradition was strong on Sunday with 16 competitors in the loy dig, all relishing the challenge of competing alongside our reigning national champion Brian Casey from Killoe, and when the job was done, no one could match his style. 

Great to see IFA Deputy President Alice Doyle add to the excitement having made the trip from home in Gorey, Co Wexford. Alice hopped on Paddy Whitney's Ferguson for the Celebrity Ploughing challenge alongside Ireland's number one music video artist Sina Theil.

A typical Irish April shower sent lots of revellers running for the nearest tent however it had no impact on the excitement on the dancefloor as dancers continued to enjoy the freedom of an outdoor dance floor, completely oblivious to the rain. It was an inspiring sight to lift all hearts. Well done to Jiving competition winners Emma Maguire and Kian Dowler. 

Sarah O'Leary, Arva won the hamper, sponsored by Cllr Colin Dalton, for the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady while Aéla Murtagh was the first to find Cllr Dalton and tell him his nickname, thereby winning a €50 voucher sponsored by Rose Cottage Cafe.

 We had a very successful Dog show. So many travelled to us, from Carlow, Galway, Leitrim and everywhere. We had a wonderful judge Edwina O'Donnell who had a difficult task judging all the wonderful dogs. The Reserve Champion was Yvonne Caden with 'Moon River' and Robert Rosbotham won Champion of the Show. Thank you to everyone who supported the Dog Show and made a wonderful day.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday and made the event successful. Thanks also to everybody who worked with our committee in promoting and advertising Longford Ploughing in preparation for the big day in Bunlahy.

Longford Ploughing celebrations will continue in three weeks time as all roads return to Creegan’s Bunlahy, on Saturday night May 18 for ‘The Queen of the Plough Dance’. We all look forward to celebrating the Crowning of the Queen of the Plough with a great night's dancing to live music from ‘Night Fever’.

Longford Ploughing will share all profits from the Queen of the Plough with Lus na Gréine Family Resource Centre and Bunlahy Defibrillator Group.

Also see pages 8, 9 and 10 for more coverage on the Ploughing Championships.