SITE PREPARATIONS for this forthcoming National Ploughing Championships at Heathpark, Old Ross, have begun.
Thankfully, the sun was shining recently when representatives from the National Ploughing Association (NPA) travelled to the site for an inspection visit. It was the final site inspection before the preparatory work began in earnest. During the visit the NPA officials met with the landowners, engineers and site stewards to walk the barley fields that will host 220 acres of ploughing competitions. Another 80 acres of land will be used for a grassland trade arena.
A spokesperson for the NPA told the New Ross Echo that interest in trade stands for this year’s event is “in very high demand”.
“Even at this early stage all outdoor exhibitor spaces are full and the number of remaining indoor spaces is extremely limited,” she said.
This years’ event will include several new tented pavilions including a specialist Enterprise Ireland Tent which will facilitate new and innovative companies from across the Leinster region.
The Woman’s World Arcade will feature a wide of range of items sure to attract the ladies attending including including Fashion, cosmetics, holistic services, accessories, photography, footwear, heath & wellbeing, food & drink, sportswear, weight management, computing & communications, beauty treatments and more.
The Food Fayre will showcase Ireland’s finest producers of Agri-food in addition to artisan produce and will include a food & wine hall, Bord Bia, several supermarket chains and a host of celebrity chefs giving cooking demonstrations.
The machinery displays and demonstrations are always among the main attractions at the championships and this year some of the world’s leading names will be involved including: New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Valtra, Landini, McCormick, Case IH, Deutz-Fahr, ECI, Shire, Claas, Manitou, Zetor, Tumosan, and Kubota.
A wide range of equipment will be on display such as trailers and transporters, agri-machinery, services, plant & equipment, recycling & waste management, pumps & pressure washers, fire & safety equipment, fuel & energy, and turf equipment to name but a few.
Motoring enthusiasts will also be catered for at the championships with the star attractions including the Skoda 4×4 Experience Arena, the Top Gear Experience Simulator, the Road Safety Authority – with its car crash simulator – and a wide range of top brand vehicles such as Volkswagen, Audi, Land Rover, Kia, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Citroen, Jaguar, Renault, Isuzu, Mazda, Suzuki, and Hyundai.
Accommodation across the Southeast is filling fast and those planning a longer stay in the region are recommended to contact New Ross Tourist Information Office on 051-421857 or Experience New Ross at 087-3630540.