Ploughing draws in record crowds

A RECORD 166,000 people attended the three-day national ploughing championships at Annaharvey, Tullamore, Co Offaly, the managing director of the National Ploughing Association (NPA) disclosed last night.

Anna May McHugh said 80,000 people were estimated to have attended the event on Wednesday, with 45,000 present on Tuesday and a further 41,000 yesterday.

“People told us they had never seen the likes of the crowds that were present on Wednesday,” she said, adding the NPA was pleased with both the ploughing competitions and the trade display.