All roads lead to Carlow next week for Ploughing 2019. The three-day event gets underway near Fenagh on Tuesday, September 17. The Ploughing is now the biggest outdoor gathering in Europe and much of the credit can go to Anna-May McHugh from Ballylynan, Co Laois, who has spear-headed this amazing event over the last few decades.
Ploughing for Stars will make its debut at the Irish Farmers Journal stand on Tuesday. It will feature the six lucky finalists who have been chosen to perform in the inaugural contest to find a new country music star.
Three contestants will be on stage on Tuesday evening between 4pm and 5pm and the other three will feature on Wednesday evening, also between 4pm and 5pm.
I will be introducing all six finalists so I hope to see many of our regular readers during the course of both days.
Ollie Hennessy from Carlow, the musical director with RTÉ for the annual Rose of Tralee shows, will provide the backing for all.
Country music has a natural home at the Ploughing Championships over the years and has become an integral part of the entertainment business over the last two decades or so.
The main Band Stand will play host to some well-known acts across all three days.
PJ Murrihy makes a return to the Ploughing after a gap of three years and he will perform on Tuesday following the official opening by President Michael D Higgins. This year sees PJ being accompanied on stage by Jerome Coakley from Macroom. They will also perform a second show at 5pm.
The Tuesday line up also sees Olivia Douglas from Ferbane on stage at 2pm, Adrian Ryan from Carlow at 3pm and Sabrina Fallon from Portumna at 4pm.
Visitors on Wednesday can see the Kirwan Academy of Irish Dance on the main stage at 10am, Colin Kenny at 11am, PJ Murrihy and Jerome Coakley at 12pm, Derek Ryan and his band at 1pm, Alex Roe from Clara at 2pm, the Kevin Morrin Band at 3pm, PJ Murrihy and Jerome Coakley back again at 4pm and John Molloy at 5pm.
The final day of Ploughing 2019 will feature Billy Kirwan at 11am, the Joe Davitt Band at 1pm, Derek Ryan and his band at 1pm, Larissa Tormey at 2pm, Knots Down and Out at 3pm, Teresa, Tony and the Stars from Wexford at 4pm and Crystal Swing from Cork at 5pm.
Aldi have Mike Denver performing in their marquee over the three days. Richie Kavanagh is virtually on home turf in Fenagh and he will be in The Tara Arms marquee in the catering area on the three days. Seamus Moore will also be in action in one of the bars in the catering region so watch out for him too. Various other singers and entertainers will also perform in the marquees during the Ploughing so there will be no shortage of entertainment along the way. Here’s wishing everyone an enjoyable time in Carlow next week.
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