The 92nd 2023 National Ploughing Championships will return to the hugely successful Ratheniska site in Co. Laois in 2023, organisers have confirmed.
Europe’s largest outdoor event will take place in Ratheniska, Co Laois, from September 19th to 21st for a second year, given the “triumph” of this year’s event.
According to the National Ploughing Association, total attendance figures for this year’s event stood at 277,000 visitors with over 1,700 exhibitors.
The event returned to Ratheniska on September 20th, 21st and 22nd, 2022, following a two-year absence, as That’s Farming previously reported.
The National Ploughing Championships prize-giving ceremony took place in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, yesterday (Sunday).
Ploughing 2023
NPA managing director, Anna May McHugh, said:
“We are delighted to be staging the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois again next year. “
“Feedback from landowners, the local community and the wider public has been very positive, and all were very enthusiastic to see a return.”
“Speaking also with many of the exhibitors and visitors over the three days throughout the event, all were very vocal about their wishes to have it staged again in Ratheniska, given how well it worked as a location this year.”
She said the site has proved popular for several reasons, including its central location and surrounding road and rail network.
By and large, she added, most people travelled to the site “with ease and the minimum of traffic delays”.
This, she concluded, has certainly helped the event become “such a success” this year and organisers look forward to 2023.
Awards
McHugh also congratulated all winners who were awarded at yesterday’s prize-giving ceremony.
Supreme World Ploughing Conventional Champion Eamonn Tracey from Carlow will again represent Ireland in next year’s World Ploughing Contest in Latvia.
Supreme World Ploughing Champion John Whelan from Wexford will take part in the Reversible Class.
