The National Ploughing Championships is steeped in a rich tradition dating back to 1931 when the first inter-county ploughing contest took place. Since then, it has evolved and developed into a pinnacle event in the agricultural calendar, one that the whole family anxiously waits for with the hope of good weather.

The event showcases the very best of what Irish agriculture has to offer and everything good about our culture. It acts as a platform where both young and old across the world can congregate and gain knowledge about one of Ireland’s most important industries.

This year’s 88th National Ploughing Championships (NPA) is being hosted in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co Carlow, after three successful years in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly. This is not the first year that Co Carlow will be home to the National Ploughing Championships, with the county hosting the event seven times over the past 87 years.

In 1938, Oak Park research centre – now owned by Teagasc –was the first home of the Ploughing in the county. It was then relocated to Tullow in 1967 before moving back to Oak Park for three years from 1988 to 1990.

The event was held once more in Oak Park in 1996 before returning to Grangeford, Tullow, in 2006.

Where it all began

Records state that the first ploughing competition took place in Camolin Park in Co Wexford in 1816. Many contests took place from 1816 to 1930, however, with no specific prize on offer other than pride. Then, in 1931, despite Ireland recovering from the War of Independence and mass economic depression, the first inter-county ploughing contest was organised.

And so it began. The first National Ploughing Championships arose as a result of an argument between two lifelong friends, JJ Bergin from Athy and Denis Allen of Gorey, each separated by tribal differences.

Both insisted that they had the best ploughmen, so on 16 February 1931 the dispute was settled on the “plains of Kildare” course town, Athy. Denis Allen first managed to claim victory over his rival, but his glory was short-lived as they continually battled through the years.

Nine counties participated in the contest which then formed a committee. The objective was to “bring the message of good ploughing to all parts of the country, and provide farmers with a friendly and appropriate place to meet and do business”.

The committee also created rules covering standards and regulations at parish, county and national level. The National Ploughing Association (NPA) was then formed and was the first in the world to organise ploughing matches on a national level.

Some 3,000 people attended the event in the second year and within years it became one of the major national annual events in Ireland. Public figures such as Éamon de Valera helped to raise the profile, resulting in more people from different sectors attending the event. Club and county ploughing associations were soon established throughout the country and competitions ran without fail throughout World War II, showing the determination of the Irish people.

The National Ploughing Championships went from strength to strength, thanks to the help of JJ Bergin who in 1952 ensured Ireland was a part of the World Ploughing Organisation (WPO). He was then appointed vice-president of the WPO and, in 1954, the second world championships were held in Kerry. During this period, the tractor began to replace the horse.

By 1955, the NPA extended the National Ploughing Championships to a two-day event due to the increasing number of competitions and exhibitions. JJ Bergin died at the age of 77 on 13 March 1958, but his legacy lives on.

Family event

The National Ploughing Championships continued to strengthen, with the show becoming a family event, emphasising the need for diversity. This saw the introduction of fashion, cookery and craft demonstrations and, as a result, attendance figures steadily increased. This led to the event being extended to three days.

The Ploughing has prospered throughout the years, growing from 26ac to a 700ac site today. It is now home to over 320 competitors, 1,700 trade stands, has a economic value of €35m and attracts on average 240,000 visitors from all over the world.

This year’s National Ploughing Championships has something to suit all ages, with machinery and ploughing demonstrations only one aspect of the world-entertaining event.