'God looked after us and gave us a good week': Ploughing ends with country music in the rain
Even when the rain finally began bucketing down, after it stayed away for most of the week, nothing could stop partygoers dancing on the main stage as this year's National Ploughing Championships drew to a close.
Thursday was the third and final day of the biggest outdoor event in Europe, which saw 75,500 in attendance on Tuesday and 85,000 on Wednesday — bringing the total to 163,500 over the first two days alone.
The adored machinery and livestock event set across 800 acres in Screggan, Co Offaly, saw busloads of ticket holders land in the heart of Offaly since the early hours of Tuesday.
People travelled from all over the world to take part in bake-offs, sheep shearing, and wellie throwing competitions, while also checking out the latest machinery in farming.
As the heavens opened on Thursday afternoon, not long before the event closed for another year, nobody was phased. Instead, as soon as country singer Alistair Fingleton took to the main stage, they grabbed their partners and children and danced in the rain.
“I’ve had the best time it was just wonderful” said Leitrim man George Cullen
“Look, we were meant to have the bad weather all week, but God looked after us and gave us a good week. Now there’s a bit of rain, and sure, what about it. Everyone is enjoying themselves — look at all of them out dancing now, sure what else would you be doing in the spilling rain.”
Meanwhile, celebrations were also taking place at Block 2, Row 22, Stand 424, where Mayo woman Maureen Igoe was crowned winner of the popular national brown bread baking competition on Thursday afternoon, claiming the top cash prize of €5,000.
Ms Igoe has been baking since she was a teenager, and she thanked her mother for influencing her growing up. She stopped short of revealing the family's secret ingredient for her much-loved bread, which was passed on through generations.
A member of the Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA), Bonniconlon woman Maureen said: “I can’t quite believe it! I’ve been baking for over 50 years, and this is definitely a highlight.
"I’m going home to Mayo a very happy woman. I’m so delighted," she added.
The three finalists — Kathy Bolger from Wexford, Pauline Browne from Dublin, and Áine Cotter from Cork — will all walk away with a €500 Euronics gift card.
The winner of the vintage pedestrian tractor plough class was John Kehoe from Wexford. Meath man Gavan Duffy came in second place.
The winner of the national novice conventional plough class was Ciaran Cavanagh from Carlow. West Cork man Leonard Deane placed second.
The winner of the farmerette plough class was Ellen Nyhan from West Cork, while Wexford woman Katie Kehoe placed second.
Gordon Jennings, from West Cork, was the winner of the vintage single furrow mounted plough class. East Cork resident Trevor Fleming came in second place.
