One just has to admire the delightful honesty of Ferbane country singer Olivia Douglas. The Offaly entertainer, who has enjoyed a huge surge in popularity over the last year, has been invited to feature in the Celebrity Ploughing Showdown at the 85th annual Longford Ploughing Championship on Sunday 24 March. It is being hosted by landowners Patrick Durkin and Sean Donohoe beside Granard Mart and gets underway at 12pm.

“I don’t know the first thing about ploughing and I’ve never driven a tractor before. I know it is a novelty event that I am taking part in but I would advise anyone near me to keep well clear when I get on board that tractor. I haven’t a clue about it!” laughs Olivia.

It will all be part of getting acquainted with other aspects of rural life for the singer whose parents Tom and Chrissie run Tom’s Bar in Ferbane. She will also be expected to get behind a pair of horses to turn the sod and dig with the loy.

It will be something different for me in Granard and a great bit of craic

“A lot of the people who come into the bar are from a rural and farming background. They are salt of the earth people. I know there will be plenty of banter among them in relation to me switching the microphone for the tractor wheel and plough as well as the horses but sure that will be grand too.

“It will be something different for me in Granard and a great bit of craic. It was a real privilege to be asked and it took me by surprise. I better get the wellies sorted out over the coming days. I better not be too exhausted after it as I am doing a gig in Dunloe in Donegal that night.”

Joining Olivia will be young Keelan Arbuckle from Donegal who sat his Leaving Cert last June and who released his debut album some months ago.

Keelan has featured as guest on several top-concert shows over the last two years and enjoyed plenty of success last summer with his song When Big Tom Sang Gentle Mother, a tribute to the country legend from Monaghan.

Both Keelan and Olivia will join The Ramblers on stage as part of an exciting line-up of afternoon entertainment. Local singers Grace and Erin Ross and Sarah Haughey along with The Ramblers will also entertain the patrons as will the John Dungan Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Group.

Dance instructor John McCabe of JL Jive will be available all day teaching a few new jive moves and rounding off the evening with a jive competition.

Numerous country singers have featured at the Longford Ploughing Championship for more than two decades now and PRO Luke Casey says these include Brendan Shine, Declan Nerney, Mick Flavin, TR Dallas, Nathan Carter, Johnny Brady, Cliona Hagan, Ciarán Rosney and many more.

Cynthia Geelan from Newtownforbes, chair of the Longford Ploughing Association, has extended special thanks to Kiernan Milling, the main sponsor, and has complimented the people of Granard for their support and encouragement ahead of the big day.

All the usual attractions are back again by popular demand as well as the Food Fair, machinery exhibits and the vintage display, livestock exhibitions, a dog show and lots more.

A warm welcome awaits all in Granard on Sunday 24 March, and be sure to lend encouragement to Olivia Douglas and Keelan Arbuckle as they keep it country down on the farm.

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