When you ask veteran exhibitors at the National Ploughing Championships what it is that brings them back to the muddy fields year after year, there are a few common themes that crop up: passion, pride and a fierce loyalty to an event considered the highlight of the agricultural year.
This year’s event in Screggan marks the 95th show to be held and with a vast array of exhibitors due once again to set up stall, Irish Country Living caught up with a few of those whose loyalty to the Ploughing goes back decades.
When you think of these sacred three days you don’t normally think of national security incidents. Yet back in 2010, an errant balloon, or blimp to give it the correct term, caused quite a stir when it broke free from its moorings.
JFC, the Tuam-based agricultural product manufacturer, has been a mainstay of Ploughing since it was set up in 1987.
Owner and managing director John Conncannon says there have been many standout memories from his four decades at the Ploughing.
John courted national media attention back in 2010 when the advertising blimp he had used to direct visitors to the JFC stand broke free from its moorings, causing an official air safety incident.
“Ploughing is the place to be and always has been for us, since we first set up in 1987, as it’s the yardstick for us as to where the business needs to be,” explains John.
“The size and scale of the event have changed massively down through the years, but it continues to be the gospel according to Anna May McHugh.
“We had our own story back in 2010 when the blimp broke free up in Athy and was headed towards Baldonnel Airport so we had to notify the Irish Aviation Authority.
“High winds sent the blimp drifting out of control and into the path of commercial flights. After taking off from Athy, it ended up drifting up towards the north. There were sightings of it in Co Down before the Irish Naval Service shot it down. The runaway blimp became an instant viral sensation for us and even now, all these years later it remains a classic piece of Irish farming folklore.”
Down through the years John has unveiled a new product at the Ploughing, but this year’s reveal is less of a practical innovation and more a reflection on his journey in agribusiness.
“I’ve written a book about the company and my own life, The Bucket Man, which we’ll officially launch at Ploughing this year,” he explains.
“In all the shows we exhibit at, throughout Europe and in Australia and New Zealand, none of them hold a candle to the Ploughing.”
Guide Dogs
Farmhand has been another Ploughing staple down through the years. Adrian Leech, marketing and content creator, spoke to Irish Country Living from Screggan as they were setting up their stand and said the three-day event is a great opportunity to meet customers face to face.
“We sell to dealers, so our presence at Ploughing allows those dealers to meet their customers and make the deals. Because we don’t have a direct link with the end user of our machines, we very much value the opportunity to meet with them and get their feedback.”
Another long-time resident at the September event is Irish Guide Dogs, whose canine stars are a huge draw for visitors to the Ploughing each year.
Speaking to Irish Country Living, the charity’s CEO Tim O’Mahony says the group are always very well received at the Ploughing.
“We love the National Ploughing Championships as we feel it mirrors the charity, as it, like us, is made up of local communities coming together for a great cause,” he explains.
“We have so many wonderful branches around the country, where volunteers give up their time to man the stand at Ploughing and then they look forward to going off to have a look at all the other exhibits.
“There is always incredible footfall at the Ploughing which brings us to a whole new audience each year. We have clients with their guide dogs at the stand, which is a great way to show the public what their donations and support can deliver. It truly is life-changing the gift of a guide dog.
“We always try to promote our puppy raising campaign. This involves recruiting volunteers to raise pups so that the charity can continue to meet our clients’ needs. We have had great success with that down through the years at Ploughing and we’re aiming for similar success this year.”
Roy Keane
Tim wouldn’t be drawn on whether the charity’s most famous patron, Roy Keane, would be making an appearance at Screggan over the three days but did say the stable of Guide Dog ambassadors had grown in recent years.
“Roy is not one to tell you in advance if he’s dropping by, but he’s one of many Irish sports stars who have supported and promoted us down through the years, his fellow Corkonian Sonia O’Sullivan is another great friend of the charity,” adds Tim.
“We also have Irish and Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher, Irish rugby player Jack Crowley and Young Offenders star Shane Casey (Billy Murphy) along with RTÉ broadcaster and comedian Doireann Garrihy on our team of ambassadors, so you never know who might show up at our stand this year.”
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