Ploughing Championship - Bluetongue casts shadow over contest

AT NOON today President Mary McAleese will open the National Ploughing Championships, a three-day festival of farming that has become the biggest outdoor event in Ireland.

She will be joined by at least two members of the cabinet — local TD and Finance Minister Brian Cowen and Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan — as well as Michelle Gildernew, the North’s Farm Minister.

The Taoiseach is scheduled to visit later in the week if his Mahon Tribunal commitments allow.