The great stirring is about to get underway again. The National Ploughing Championships are with us as we try and comprehend how another year has flown by. It is back to Screggan near Tullamore for the annual carnival and the celebration of all that is good about rural Ireland, when the three-day event will be staged on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (18-20 September).

The English poet William Wordsworth captured some of essential traits of autumn, or fall as it is so aptly named in America, when he reflected: What pensive beauty autumn shows / Before she hears the sound / Of Winter rushing in, to close / The emblematic round.

Country music finds a natural home at the Ploughing Match each year. It certainly is the genre that is most readily audible during all three days of the great rural festival and thousands congregate from all parts of the island and overseas.

The main band stand has become a regular meeting spot for so many, and a good few of the regular performers are back again this year. On-stage during the opening day on Tuesday will be The Duets (Mayo), The Wrafter Family (Kilbeggan) and Andy Feery (Westmeath).

Derek Ryan looks set for a warm welcome when he does a one-hour slot on Wednesday at 1pm. Others who will be on-stage during the day include Geraldine and Kinfolk, Barry Kirwan, Philip English and The Duets.

The final day of the Ploughing Festival on Thursday will feature Olivia Douglas, Sabrina Fallon, John Molloy and The Duets.

Plenty of entertainment

Apart from the band stand, there are plenty of other shows happening around the grounds. Mike Denver is back again at the Aldi Village marquee, where he will perform shows on all three days. Mike went down a treat last year and looks set to repeat that scenario again next week.

Seamus Moore will also be hosting his own shows, and the wine and liquor will be flowing with Seamus in full flight as usual. He will also launch his new album, I’m a Mild Mannered Middle Aged Mighty Man from Mayo, at the festival.

There is always a warm welcome for the Bachelors in Trouble, who will be making their 29th successive appearance at the Ploughing. Tony Coffey, Seán Murphy and William Walsh, all from west Waterford, look forward in a special way to these three days each year.

In keeping with tradition, they will have another brand new DVD for their loyal followers on this occasion.

“It was a close run as our producer Willie Hartery from Carrick-on-Shannon just put the finishing touches to it in recent days,” says Tony Coffee. “We are calling this one Magical Pension Days and we have nearly all the usual crew on duty again. We also have guest musical contributions from Paddy O’Brien, Richie Kavanagh and Pat Daly.

“We are delighted to welcome on board a local solicitor, Pat Gordon from Dungarvan, who plays the role of a solicitor in the new play. He keeps me out of court and out of jail,” laughs Tony.

Richie is back

Another special favourite at the Ploughing Championships is Richie Kavanagh. This appearance will be extra special as it is his first live show of 2018. His involvement on the circuit has been curtailed because of ongoing problems related to Parkinson’s.

The occasion will see Richie launch his new album, The Boys In Blue, which will be available over the three days.

“I have being in the recording studio singing some new songs and my voice is still strong. So I am back, ready and rearing to go. I wouldn’t miss the Ploughing for the world.”

In the prevailing circumstances, the man from Carlow is assured of an extra warm welcome and reception this year and we all join in the good wishes to Richie on his health journey.

This is the time of year when rural people once again salute the great Anna May McHugh from Ballylynan, Co Laois, and all her wonderfully dedicated team who organise one of the biggest annual gatherings on the European continent and take it all in their stride. It is one mighty achievement.

  • I will be at the Irish Farmers Journal stand from 2pm to 4pm on Tuesday afternoon and I look forward to meeting you. The Bachelors in Trouble are located at Block 3, Row 33, Stand 670.