Coveted titles at 'the new Croker' 

Judges sampled over 130 loaves during recent weeks to select the contenders, who represents a blend of personal flair and deep-rooted Irish baking heritage

Rose Egan, Offaly, winner of the 2024 National Brown Bread Baking Competition at work during the final at last year's National Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska, Co Laois. Picture:  Dan Linehan

The ploughing championships have become ‘the new Croker’ for many individuals and groups seeking All-Ireland titles across a range of categories.

Winning national honours has always been the focus of competitors since Ned Jones, Wexford, won the first senior horse title in Athy, Co. Kildare, in 1931.