Ploughmen do battle for world honours
It will be the fifth time the National Ploughing Association (NPA) will play host to the event.
Ireland previously staged the world championships in Killarney (1954), Wexford (1973) and (1981) and Carlow (1996).
Carlow will also host the 2004 National Ploughing Championships at Grangeford and Friarstown, Tullow, on land owned by Kevin Nolan and father and son Larry and George Byrne.
The world’s best ploughmen will assemble in Carlow in 2006 for the world championships on a site close to the 2004 national venue. Land owned by John and Larry Doyle at Bennekerry Lodge, Busherstown, will be the site for the world event.
NPA managing director Anna May McHugh said she had every confidence in Carlow as a location for both events.
Minister of State Liam Alyward said the world championships will coincide with the 75th anniversary of the NPA.
Staging it in 2006 will be a huge administrative project for the NPA, with up to 30 countries taking part.
It will also represent a tremendous opportunity for Ireland and for Carlow.
Plans are, meanwhile, going ahead for this year’s national championships, which will be staged at Ballinabrackey,
Co. Meath, on September 23, 24 and 25.
