Bord Bia

As always, Bord Bia will have a multiple presence at the Ploughing. Its main stand is focused on the key issues that drive consumer choice in global markets for meat and dairy. But for food lovers, it is once again about the Country Kitchen, the hub of delicious Irish meat at the Ploughing, where the breakfast bap will help start the day off right, and the lunchtime specials that really get mouths watering – roast sirloin of Irish Angus beef, roast leg of Irish lamb or roast heritage cured bacon, all served on a toasted ciabatta bread.

The vegetarian option also keeps it Irish, with aged Dubliner cheddar, beef tomato and roasted red peppers drizzled with pesto. Sound delicious.

Block 3 Row 19 Stand 421

NDC

The National Dairy Council stand is always a hub of activity and this year is no different.

For the kids, there’s Climate College, an interactive maze full of entertainment, activity and education to feed the senses and imagination.

RTÉ’s Doireann Garrihy will be bringing Love Island to the fields of Fenagh with a special dating contest.

For anyone who has any health concerns, expert nurses from Cappagh Hospital will be running a dedicated health screening area, featuring a Health Heart centre where you can get your blood pressure taken, your weight and BMI checked.

EU Cheese Your Way ambassador Donal Skeehan will be showcasing some of his delicious cheese recipes and Clodagh McKenna and Lily Higgins will also be doing cooking demos.

And don’t miss the world’s first Milk Sommelier – yes, you read that correctly.

Donal Skehan.

Row 18 Stand 397 Block 3

Glenilen Farm

You won’t walk far around the Ploughing site without seeing someone holding a Glenilen bag. It’s always a great deal. For just €10, you get one of the company’s fancy cooler bags, filled with a large cheesecake, a big pot of yoghurt, a farmhouse country butter roll and a pack of kids’ yoghurts. This year Glenilen plans to highlight its new kids’ yoghurt range, Live Yogi. The west Cork gang will also be serving delicious homemade lemonade and strawberry smoothies straight from old-fashioned milk churns. Kids (big and small) won’t want to miss out on the chance to become a master milker at the Glenilen Farm Milking Academy.

Row 38 Block 4 Stand 712

Áine Handmade Chocolate

Áine Handmade Chocolates is always a crowd favourite at the Ploughing and this year is no exception. The company is celebrating its 17th year at the Ploughing and will be launching its new Colombian single-origin milk and dark bar. Áine’s master chocolatier Ann Rudden travelled to Colombia earlier this year and met the cocoa farmers growing Fino de Aroma cocoa. If you haven’t already tasted this amazing chocolate, made by hand in small batches in Co Cavan, this is your chance. All of the products are gluten free. There are also special show offers of three large 100g bars for €6 and four small items for €5.

Block 4, Row 37, Stand 707

Clonakilty Food Company

One of Ireland’s most celebrated food companies, Clonakilty Food, will be bringing its sizzling range of black pudding, white pudding, rashers and sausages to this year’s Ploughing. So you might want to get in line for the array of samples that will be handed out. While the products are delicious in your traditional full Irish, TV chef Joe Shannon will be showing how you can spice up your breakfast, lunch and dinner at home. Even better, the company is giving away a trip to its hometown, Clonakilty, located in the heart of beautiful west Cork. To enter, all you have to do is visit the stand and listen to the instructions.

Block 4, Row 37 and Stand 700.

Aldi

Will the cowboy hats be back? That is the burning question, but we do know for certain that Aldi will be at the Ploughing. Entertainment will once again be provided by hugely popular Irish country music star Mike Denver and celebrity cooking demonstrations by Andrew Rudd. Ireland AM (Virgin Media 1) will come live from the Aldi marquee. The winners of the Grow with Aldi supplier development programme will be announced and the National Brown Bread Baking Competition and the National Junior Baking Competition will take place in the Baking Area. Síle Seoige will be MC in the Aldi Marquee and she’ll be hosting the National Brown Bread and National Junior Baking competitions. Families can also audition to take part in Aldi’s Swap and Save Advert campaign.

Block 1, Row 24, Stand 567.

Tesco

Tesco at the Ploughing

Tesco’s Fire Pit has been seen at some of the best festivals in Ireland this summer and we’re not surprised that it’s headed to the Ploughing.

Visitors to Fire Pit, exclusive at Tesco, will be able to sample Tesco finest burgers, steak sandwiches, sausage buns, BBQ pulled pork, brisket beef and pork ribs, as well as its plant-based range of vegan meals. Cooking with flair and flavour, Irish Pit Masters from New Ross, Co Wexford, will entertain the masses through the medium of food, demonstrating expert cooking tips for festival-goers to take home to their own kitchens.

There will also be live music from The Black Axels each day of the championships.

Stand 711, Row 38, Block 4