Thirteen countries are taking part in the 36th European Ploughing Championships taking place this weekend on Saturday and Sunday at Springpark, Ballinaboola, a few miles from New Ross.
A total of 33 competitors will be in action in both conventional and reversible ploughing and they have already arrived and have been taking part in practice and familiarity at the site since early this week.
Martin Kehoe, who is a former World Ploughing Champion, will compete in the conventional class for Team Ireland. The Clongeen champion native hasn’t far to travel.
In the reversible class, local contestant Dan Donnelly, from Blackwater, and Brian Mahon from Co. Offaly represent the home country.
Donnelly came fourth in last year’s competition and won the stubble competition. Brian was the County Chairperson of Offaly Ploughing Association when the National Ploughing Championships were held outside Tullamore last year.
Ireland last hosted the European Ploughing Championships in 2011 and is set to hold the World Ploughing Competition in 2021.
This year’s National Ploughing Championships will be held in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co. Carlow, just a few miles north of Bunclody from September 17th to the 19th.