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Farmers ploughing ahead to competition


John Geary (right) from Geary’s Garage with, from left, John Meehan, director of the National Ploughing Association; Ger Frost, ploughman; Johnny White, chairman of the Clare Ploughing Association; Michael Enright, former chairman and Mike Meehan from Geary’s Garage at the launch of the Clare Ploughing Championships.    Photograph by Declan MonaghanTHE Clare Ploughing Association will hold its annual ploughing match this Sunday in Newmarket-on-Fergus. The annual event, which marks the association’s 51st year, will kick off at noon at Ralahine.
Speaking about the event, the association’s PRO, PJ Ryan said the survival of ploughing in the county “is exceptional” given that Clare would be classified as a non-tillage county.
The annual ploughing match will feature horse ploughing, a senior and junior category, vintage ploughing and loy digging, which is done with a spade. In addition to the competitions, there will also be a display of vintage farm machinery and tractors and plenty of activities. According to PJ, the horse ploughing section is not only very competitive but is very attractive to watch and usually draws a young crowd, as it is a rare activity nowadays.
“All these horse ploughmen are very proud of their animals and the plough and they are very attractive. Then we have a class for vintage ploughing, which is another type of ploughing that is not as deep. It is typical of an older form of ploughing that was done in Clare, as a lot of land wouldn’t have a lot of surface so the plough didn’t plough too deep. It’s also fierce competitive,” he explained.
Each ploughing match will be followed by a ploughman’s dinner at the Bellsfort Inn, where winners will be announced. The ploughing match site will be well signposted from the M18 and all are welcome.

 

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