I was in the attic, looking for something else, which is the best way to find anything, says Colm O’Regan.

MOST people attending the three-day ploughing championships, which begin in Ratheniska, Co Laois, tomorrow, will be interested primarily in the machinery.

The humanist ceremony that marked the death of Irish farming giant Paddy O’Keeffe took place in a North Cork mart and, in the words of his friend, Dawn Meats chairman Dan Brown, “that he chose this unconventional setting for his service is true Paddy”.

ONCE again, my tractor has broken down. As I write, there’s a mechanic outside, shining a flash lamp into her oily guts, hoping no doubt to shed a bit of light on my troubles.

By Caroline O'Doherty

THE head garb designs of the men at the national ploughing championships at Grangeford, Tullow, Co Carlow, yesterday, were in a class of their own.

Cheltenham are celebrating the 40th anniversary of both the £100,000 (€156,900) Tripleprint Gold Cup and the £75,000 (€117,600) Victor Chandler Bula Hurdle at next week’s meeting.