Preparations for ploughing championships get off to a flyer

BALLOONS flew over Athy in Co Kildare to herald the 80th birthday of the National Ploughing Championships.

The release of the 80 balloons in the green, white and gold of the National Ploughing Association marks the final countdown to this year’s championships, which take place on September 20, 21 and 22.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, who released the balloons on the 700-acre site at Cardenton, viewed the preparatory work under way and met some of the organisers.