There will be a double header of vintage ploughing action in Ratheniska, Co Laois as the All- Ireland and European championships take place.

Three vintage classes will be on display, showcasing tractors up to 1960, while a new classic class will begin for the 2025 competition next year.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, the secretary of the Irish Vintage Ploughing Association, Aeneas Horan said this year will be a very competitive show.

“Anyone in the top five could win it any year,” he said.

Standard

“The standard has improved immensely, but [the popularity] is only growing a little bit. It’s maintaining 45 plots at the Irish championships for the last 25 years.”

The first All-Ireland competition was held in Ardfert, Co Kerry in 1984 and was won by Cecil Ray from Northern Ireland, who saw off five other competitors.

There initially was only a vintage trailed class until 1988, when a single furrow class was introduced and won by PJ Lynham.

In 1991, a two-furrow mounted class joined the roster and was won by Terry Gibson.

Horan said that the amount of work needed for each event means the machinery is in near perfect condition.

“Everything for competitions now has to be exact. It’s a two-body plough, they both have to do the same thing, both of them have to be 100% exact to the one before.

“People might say they’re no good compared to the ones today, but there’s very little that’s changed in the plough in the last 150 years to be honest. It’s very much the same tool,” he said.

Costs

Horan also believes that vintage ploughing is a worthwhile hobby to get involved in, with a relatively low cost.

He drives a 1944 Fordson tractor that was previously owned by the Department of Agriculture during World War II and pulls a pre-war Ransome RSLD plough. He said people would spend between €5,000 and €10,000 on a tractor and plough for the shows, which is substantially lower than their modern equivalent.

“You look at a modern reversable plough and tractor, you’re looking at spending possibly €80,000. When you look at the level of workmanship after the both of them, it’s pretty much the same.”

However, one of the 2023 All-Ireland champions in the mounted class, Tom Beausang said that travelling to events can add majorly to the costs.

“If I’ve to go any distance to a plough match at the weekend, you wouldn’t be long seeing fuel go up to €100 alone.”

European Championships

The three days of events begin at 10:30am on Tuesday 17 September, with the European competitions opening proceedings.

Beausang, along with his co-pilot Tommy, drives a 1957 four-cylinder Ferguson SE35 with a Ransome TF 59 plough.

He said it’s an honour to be once again competing on the international stage for Ireland.

“I’m delighted to be representing Ireland and County Waterford at the European [Championships] this year. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us.”