Rural pulse is driving force at Ploughing Championships - Gildernew

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA has begun a two-day visit to the National Ploughing Championships in Athy, County Kildare.

The Minister was welcomed by the National Ploughing Association’s President, James Grainger and Anna May McHugh, Managing Director. During a tour of the extensive site she had the opportunity to speak with competitors and view trade exhibits. She also visited the DARD exhibition where she met representatives of a wide range of companies from the north of Ireland.

Speaking during her tour, the Minister said: “Each year the turnout and effort which goes into the National Ploughing Championship is phenomenal. A vibrant rural pulse is evident across the exhibition. This is rural Ireland at its prime and I am always very impressed by the vast variety of products and services that are on offer. The popularity of this year’s event illustrates the resilience of the agri-food industry and rural community, even during times of economic uncertainty.

“I particularly welcome that I have been able to facilitate a number of northern diversification businesses on the DARD exhibition and wish them every success over the next three days. It is very important that our rural businesses maximise all opportunities across Ireland to grow their business and introduce themselves to new markets.

“With an audience of over 150,000 potential customers, I hope the rural businesses participating in DARD’s exhibition can make the National Ploughing Championships work for them. The dominance of the National Ploughing Championships within the agricultural and national calendar illustrates the importance of the agri-food industry and rural community to the wider economy.”

Discussing the National Ploughing Championships event, the Minister added: “Tradition is a cornerstone of rural Irish life and it is wonderful to see so many, young and old participating in the main ploughing events. I also want to wish all the northern competitors the best of luck at this year’s event.

“I also want to call on anyone who is visiting the National Ploughing Championships this week to please visit our exhibition to see what DARD has to offer at Row J, number 162.”

Notes to Editors:

1.This is the 78th year of the National Ploughing Championships which took place at Athy, County Kildare. The Championships is Ireland’s largest outdoor event and the largest agricultural event in Europe. It attracts over 300 competitors and over 150,000 spectators during the three days (22-24 September).

2. Northern Ireland’s 66th International Ploughing Championships will be held on 16-17 October 2009, at Bushmills Co Antrim.

3. Media enquiries to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.