Ploughing Championships to attract 100,000

Tens of thousands of people have congregated in Co Laois to attend the opening day of the National Ploughing Championships.

It is hoped that over 100,000 people will attend over the three days of the event, Ireland's biggest outdoor event.

Attendance at the event, which is perhaps the most important date in the social calendar of Irish rural life, is hoped to be even greater than previous years due to its cancellation last year over the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The farms of Mr David Lalor and Mr Robin Talbot, Ballacolla, Abbeyleix, will see over 300 competitors from every county in Ireland and eight other countries vying for the 21 titles at stake.

The winners in the various categories will go on to represent Ireland in the European and World Ploughing Championships. The Queen of the Plough will also be crowned from among 16 competitors at a special ceremony tomorrow night.

The event was officially opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, at noon. In his speech, Mr Walsh called on farmers to support the Nice Treaty and said he was "absolutely convinced" it is essential the second referendum is passed.

In addition to ploughing, the event is also a massive agricultural trade show, featuring over 650 machinery and livestock stands. There will also be horse races, sheep dog trials and a tug-o-war contest for the sporty types.

There will be entertainment for all the family, including RTÉ's mobile cinema, a Guinness-sponsored stage, a fashion show and the ubiquitous fast-food and candyfloss to appease bored children.

Non-attendees should expect delays around the area, particularly on the N8, in both Dublin and Cork directions, the N7 from both Dublin and Roscrea and the N77 from Kilkenny.

The first inter-county ploughing match was contested with 40 entries in 1931. It originated following an argument between Kildare farmer and a Wexford colleague over who had the best ploughmen.