Record turnout as Plough Queen keeps it in the family

A RECORD 208,000 people attended the three-day National Ploughing Championships which were held in glorious weather conditions at Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny.

National Ploughing Association managing director Anna May McHugh also announced last evening next year’s championship will be held on the Fennin farm in Cardenton, Athy, Co Kildare, on September 22, 23 and 24.

That means “The Ploughing” is going home because Athy was the venue for the very first championships in 1931. It cost £9.3.6 to run compared with well over €3.5 million for this year’s showpiece.