Teams from 13 countries to take part in European Ploughing Championships in Wexford
The 36th European Ploughing Championships will take place in Springpark, Ballinaboola, Co Wexford on Saturday and Sunday, March 30 and 31.
Teams will compete from 13 countries: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Russia, Scotland, Switzerland and Wales.
The National Ploughing Association last hosted this European event in 2011, and now hosts it for a first time as a stand-alone event.
The NPA has also introduced a conventional class, as well as the traditional European reversible class.
Team Ireland will be represented by previous world ploughing champion Martin Kehoe from Wexford in the conventional class, and by Dan Donnelly from Wexford, the European grassland champion in Russia in 2018, and former European medal winner Brian Mahon from Offaly.
The team is coached by Dermot Ryan from Offaly.
Irish judges Pat McKeown from Louth and Joe Slattery from Tipperary are also involved in the European Ploughing Championships.
The six Wexford ploughing clubs are heavily involved in organising the event, which includes a ploughing workshop on Friday, the day before the two European competitions taking place from 11.30am to 3.30pm on Saturday and Sunday, with a small vintage exhibition and horse and vintage ploughing demonstrations also on the programme.
Family entertainment will include a carnival and live music.
Organisers expect 33 competitors and over 200 European visitors at the venue in south Wexford, located about 8km east of New Ross on the N25 road.
