Cead Mile Failte go hEireann - 2006
The National Ploughing Association of Ireland feels particularly honoured to host the 2006 World Ploughing Contest, as this occasion will also mark the 75th Anniversary of the founding of our Association in February 1931.
The Contest will take place in association with our National Ploughing Championships, Machinery& Livestock Exhibition with the National Championships on 27th & 28th September and the World Contest on 29th & 30th September in Grangeford, Tullow, Co. Carlow.
Visitors to the 2006 World Contest can expect a highlight to be the size of our trade exhibition which will run for the four days. The range of exhibits will extend to all sectors of agricultural machinery, services and equipment. A very colourful livestock exhibition showcasing all the main breeds of cattle & sheep. The latest machinery technology will be demonstrated and other highlights include an auto arena and a forestry village.
The ladies can see the latest in Irish Fashion at our twice daily fashion shows, see Irish crafts people demonstrating their skills in the Irish Countrywomen's Marquee and visit hundreds of stands in our Indoor Trade Arena where the cross section of products and service will cover house, home, leisure, beauty, clothing and tourism. A daily programme of traditional Irish Entertainment will take place on our Platform and an exciting list of special interest events.
Thousands of visitors attend our Championships every year to see over 300 competitors take part in 17 different National Ploughing Finals and visit the 50 acre trade arena - the World Contest is expected to attract record attendance figures and our advice to intending visitors is to book early.
No doubt this is a tremendous challenge and commitment for our Association which we accept with great pride and enthusiasm.Seeing a World Contest first hand is a great motivator for young competitors and as one of, if not the oldest National Ploughing Association in the World - the Republic of Ireland Association works very hard to keep the art of ploughing alive in our rural communities.
Apart from the actual National & World Contests we are planning a great programme of "ceol agus craic". The Irish are as well known for our singing, dancing and entertaining as we are for our places of cultural interest. We hope to create the right mix for our visitors in September 2006 so that you will have a most memorable experience of our country.
Our event Headquarters in the Mount Wolseley Hilton Hotel, Spa & Country Club, has 52 holiday homes in the complex, allowing us to keep our national and international delegates together for the event. Such a gathering of “Ploughing Folk” we anticipate will create a tremendous atmosphere for Ploughing Week and the Contest site is only 4 miles from headquarters.
This will be the 5th time for our association to host the World Contest and perhaps our willingness to do so is a sign of our stabilityas a National Association. We look forward to the challenge ahead and we can assure you of a hearty welcome to Erin’s green aisle in September 2006.
Anna May McHugh
Irish World Board Member