Further blow to ploughing Olympics

IRELAND’S bid to host a world-class agricultural event involving competitors from 30 different countries has been dealt another significant blow.

A refusal by Kildare County Council to delay major road building plans had already threatened the future of the 2006 World Ploughing Championships. It has now emerged that the actual site earmarked for the ploughing competitions will be bulldozed to make way for the new N9 dual carriageway from Waterford to Kilcullen.

In an effort to ensure the survival of what is the equivalent of the Olympics of the agricultural sector, the organisers of the championships have requested a meeting with Transport Minister Seamus Brennan to delay the road plan.