Tadgh McNally: As a means of gauging the lay of the land, The Ploughing is hard to beat

The Ploughing allows politicians to break free from the political bubble and meet people from all walks of life

Tánaiste Micheál Martin made sure to travel to the National Ploughing Championships this week after returning from his trip in New York, where he spoke at the United Nations General Assembly. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

WHILE the Dáil resumed on Wednesday after a lengthy break for summer, the real political term kicked off on Tuesday in a field in Co Laois, with the start of the three-day National Ploughing Championships.

Now in its 92nd year, “The Ploughing”, as it is known, is far from being just a day out for farmers, rural citizens, and every media outlet, it is also an unmissable event in the political calendar.