Here are Ploughing results from the first day of the Ploughing.
Despite the previous heavy rain, the weather picked up as the crowds gathered from all over Ireland for the 84th National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois.
With clear blue skies throughout the day, shoppers and agricultural enthusiasts joined celebrities and politicians on the 25 kilometres of track way.
From farming to fashion, artisan foods to top-of-the range machinery the very best of what Ireland has to offer was on display today for people of all interests to enjoy.
An extended Trade Arena saw the return of the popular Tented Trade Village with demand necessitating the biggest Arcade ever “the Dome”, with up to 112 exhibitors displaying in the one arena plus hundreds more located in additional specialist Pavilions.
The NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “the feedback from exhibitors so far is that business is extremely vibrant and those I spoke with today said sales are already well ahead of what they predicted. This is very positive for both rural Ireland and the wider economy.”
“With the sun shining down on all things Ploughing today, reports are that tomorrow is shaping up to be another action packed day at “largest outdoor event in Europe.”
