150,000 to descend on Tullamore for ploughing contest

UP to 150,000 people are expected to descend on Tullamore after the Offaly town was announced as the venue for the 2007 National Ploughing Championships.

Finance Minister Brian Cowen, who yesterday formally revealed the venue decision by the National Ploughing Association (NPA), said the championships are the biggest agriculture event in the country and a great showpiece for rural life.

The event will take place from September 25-27.

Mr Cowen, who lives about seven miles from the site, said he was delighted the championships are heading to Offaly for the fifth time in 70 years.

Annaharvey Farm, where the championships will take place, is a 400-acre working tillage farm run by the

Deverell family.

Henry Deverell said they are very excited at the prospect of hosting the championships and look forward to the challenge.

The farm is located three miles from Tullamore.

It is best known for providing outdoor holidays with its fully equipped equestrian centre, walks through the Slieve Bloom Mountains and golf facilities nearby.

NPA chairman Michael Mahon said it was decided to bring the event to Offaly primarily because of the excellent venue made available by the Deverell family and neighbouring farmers.

“The road structure in the area is very adaptable to the intensive traffic the event brings and Tullamore is also a very central location for all counties.”

This year, Tullow in Co Carlow is to host both the national and World Ploughing Championships from September 27-30.

Thirty countries will be participating and NPA managing director Anna May McHugh said the interest to date from intending exhibitors and visiting delegations is excellent.