Clouds have silver lining for church groups as sodden soles seek shelter

SAVING souls in driving rain and howling wind took an amount of missionary zeal at the opening day of the national and world ploughing championships at Grangeford, Tullow, Co Carlow, yesterday.

A number of churches and religious bodies had stands at the event and many of the ploughing pilgrims found shelter under their roofs. Sowing Gospel seeds at Stand 324 was the Catholic diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, which includes Carlow and parts of the counties of Kildare, Laois, Offaly, Kilkenny, Wicklow and Wexford.

Bishop Jim Moriarty said the ploughing championships offers the diocese a unique opportunity to reach out and offer a gesture of welcome.