Laois is ready to bask in the limelight next week as the county plays host to the National Ploughing Championships. The three-day event is the largest annual agriculture event in Ireland and more than 200,000 people will flock to the site at Ratheniska, located between Stradbally and Portlaoise, during the three days.

Country music, along with folk, trad and gospel, are now an integral part of the entertainment at the festival. When President Michael D Higgins presides at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, 23 September, at 12 noon, Laois country singer Damien Bowe will be among the guest performers.

This will be a special occasion for the Shanahoe man who now fronts one of the top wedding bands in the midlands. Damien released his own country album three years ago.

Geraldine and Kinfolk have two shows on the main stage on the opening day. The local midlands group went down a real treat on their debut last year.

“It was a huge occasion for us and we loved it,” says Geraldine. “The floor in front of the stage was full with dancers stepping it out, while others just sat back and relaxed in the viewing area.

“It really is a phenomenal experience for all the performers and a great privilege for us to be part of the scene. My cousin Jerome Sheerin, a fine button-box player, is joining us for our two shows on Tuesday and we are thrilled to have him on stage with us.”

Patrons at the show can see Geraldine and Kinfolk perform between 1pm and 2pm, immediately after the official opening ceremony. They also return to do another hour-long show from 4pm to 5pm.

Tuesday will also see performances from Fiona Kelly from Portlaoise, Ratheniska Comhaltas, the Buggy School of Dancing, the Dartry Ceilí Band from Sligo, the Prison Officers Choir, The Duets from Mayo, and PJ Murrihy and Michael Sexton from Clare. PJ has been a regular performer at the shows for many years.

The Wednesday lineup sees the action get underway at 11am with the ICA Choir, followed by a session with Portarlington Comhaltas. The afternoon will see PJ Murrihy and Michael Sexton and The Duets undertake two sessions each, with Philip English and Derek McEvoy doing the 3pm to 4pm slot.

The Portlaoise Gospel Choir will open proceedings at 11am on Thursday. A local rock and pop band will entertain from noon to 1pm. PJ Murrihy and Michael Sexton are on stage at 1pm, followed by The Duets (Tommy and Kathleen Moran) at 2pm. The Craggagh Men trad group feature at 3pm, while The Duets return at 4pm and PJ and Michael will bring the festival to a close for the final hour between 5pm and 6pm.

Margaret Connaughton, who is also chairperson of Ratheniska Comhaltas, has been busy coordinating the entertainment for the main stage and is confident patrons will enjoy the wide variety of music and song over the three days.

Elsewhere around the grounds, the Bachelors in Trouble return for their 25th year at the National Ploughing Championships. The Waterford men, Tony Coffey, Sean Murphy and William Walsh (alias Tom and Jack Coffey and Tommy Power) have a brand new dvd, The Talent Show, ready for their fans at Block 2, Row 44, Stand 731.

“We look forward to the Ploughing from year to year. So many people come over to meet and say hello to us. They love to see us and enjoy the craic and banter,” says Tony.

Richie Kavanagh is another stalwart at the Ploughing. Crowds flock around the Carlow man whose comedy songs are in a league of their own. Smiling faces are always to the fore when Richie performs on stage.

His latest album, The Very Best 25 Songs, features many of his greatest hits, including his latest, The Water Meter Song.

Richie will also launch his new dvd, 14 Best Farming Songs, at the Ploughing Championships and he will be performing each day. The DVD features original songs depicting all kinds of work on a farm, from ploughing, cutting silage, baling hay, trashing and sowing beet, to milking cows, shoeing horses and making a scarecrow. This is certain to be a winner with fans of Richie.

Kilkenny native and London-based Seamus Moore is another who has performed at the September gatherings over a number of years. Seamus will be back in Laois next week to renew acquaintances with many friends.