By Alison O’reilly,Irishexaminer.com
Copyright irishexaminer
They were rewarded. For the best part of the day, the sun beamed down on festivalgoers who travelled from all over the world to attend this year’s event in Screggan, just outside Tullamore. The clouds later gathered overhead with many leaving early to escape the rain — the weather, unfortunately, is not expected to improve during the festival.
Mud paths had quickly been covered over with large bags of bark wood chippings, to keep the crowds moving as the three-day festival opened with a huge turnout, making it one of the biggest outdoor gatherings in Europe.
The machinery and livestock exhibition is sprawled out over 800 acres, with 150 acres dedicated to trade exhibitions alone.
There are more than 1,400 exhibitors with stands for almost everything to suit the family including food, fashion, farming, technology, and more on display until Thursday.
On Tuesday morning, the crowds made their way to the Machine of the Year awards, while more than 100 prizewinning cattle and up to 12 sheep breeds were also on site.
‘I just wanted to have some fun’
Eleanor Dunleavy from Cork City said she travelled up on Tuesday morning with her partner Michael Dunne for the food and atmosphere.
“I don’t really know much about ploughing, if I am honest, but the music and the beer and there is dancing too, some jiving — I just wanted to have some fun,” she said.
“What’s the harm in joining in? You don’t have to be a farmer, it’s great craic so far. I can’t get over how huge the event is.”
Sheena Kilroy from Limerick said she planned to stay at the event for three days, and booked local accommodation last year “to beat the rush”.
“I wasn’t going to wait to the last minute,” she said. “So we booked it last year and we are here to see the livestock. My husband would know a bit about that.”
For those who have no clue about livestock or ploughing, there are plenty of food stalls, music, jewellery and art exhibitions, as well as the National Brown Bread Baking competition, with eight finalists competing for the crown.
President Higgins
President Michael D Higgins opened the event by giving one of his last official speeches on the main stage near the entrance of the venue. He called for action on the crisis in Palestine.
“I have used the word ‘food’ a few times now in speaking to you,” he told the crowd. “But how do you think I feel when I look on all those children dying of malnutrition because of the conscious deprivation of what they need? Is that 6,000?”
He also spoke about the famine in Somalia, saying it should have been “stopped a long time ago”.
Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund
The family of the late Aisling Murphy were also in attendance with their display highlighting a memorial fund in her honour.
They wrote on Facebook: “We are beyond delighted to announce the launch of the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund Gaeltacht Scholarships, in partnership with Coláiste Chamuis, Co Galway, at this year’s National Ploughing Championships.
“Ashling, a dedicated múinteoir bunscoile, had a deep grá for the Irish language and worked tirelessly to inspire her pupils and those around her to cherish it. Her favourite seanfhocal was: ‘Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh siad’ – ‘Praise the youth and they will flourish’.
“With this in mind, we are proud to continue Ashling’s wish of encouraging the use of Irish among young people. This initiative will be launched nationally in November, and we’ve no doubt that Ashling would be very proud.”
Incredible turnout
Reflecting on the success of the opening day, NPA managing director Anna May McHugh said: “We are absolutely delighted with today’s incredible turnout.
“Thanks to the excellent traffic management by An Garda Síochána, and the co-operation of visitors, everything ran smoothly.
“Everywhere you looked, there were smiles, laughter, and people soaking up the wide range of activities on offer.”
The event continues until Thursday, while Gardaí have issued traffic and parking updates online for festivalgoers.
