The National Ploughing Championships 2021 will take place in Ratheniska, Co Laois, the National Ploughing Association (NPA) has announced.

In a break from recent tradition, the event will take place over four days beginning Wednesday 15 September and running until Saturday 18 September.

“It is a particularly special year, as we will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of the National Ploughing Championships and hosting the world contest with international competitors and visitors from over 20 countries,” NPA managing director Anna May McHugh said.

Among the criteria she detailed for Ratheniska’s selection were its great ploughing ground, easy assessable road network and a scenic setting in the middle of Ireland.

Positive

“Given the year that everyone has experienced, it is wonderful to announce some positive news and, with hope, we look forward to welcoming everyone to next year’s Ploughing in Co Laois,” McHugh said.

Ploughing’s chief organiser and world ploughing general secretary Anna Marie McHugh took the opportunity to thank those who had made 2020’s digital event a success.

“It is with great delight we welcome all of our international colleagues, ploughers and friends to such a fantastic venue for next year’s 68th World Ploughing Contest in Ratheniska, Co Laois,” she said.

Read more

COVID-19 results in virtual events for Ploughing 2020

My Farming Week: John Murphy, Clochristic, Milford, Co Carlow