The National Ploughing Association held its official launch on Wednesday at its 2019 site in Fenagh, Co Carlow, ahead of the gates opening in less than two weeks.

Speaking at the launch, NPA managing director Anna May McHugh said: “The championships not only provides a national stage for showcasing all things agricultural, but also brings together people from all sectors of Irish society, both rural and urban, to enjoy three days immersed in country living.”

She added: “The press launch is great, as it gets a good turnout and allows people to see we’re on top of it.”

When pushed about whether the same site would be used for 2020, she said she couldn't confirm, as she would need to see how traffic and everything runs in the site.

However, she said she was “very happy with the site so far” and thinks "it’s going to be a very dry one, as it is up high”.

She concluded by saying her only hope is that they won’t have another storm Ali!

2021 world championships

As part of the official press launch, Mrs McHugh announced the 2021 World Ploughing Championships would be coming to Ireland.

While attending the 2019 World Ploughing Championships in the Lake of the Woods in Minneapolis, she confirmed: “I signed the contract.”

The National Ploughing Championships takes place from 17 to 19 September in Fenagh, Co Carlow.