Countdown underway to eagerly anticipated Longford Ploughing Championships in Granard
All eyes will be on the north Longford town of Granard on Sunday, March 26 as the county ploughing championships returns in style.
It will be the second consecutive year that Granard will play host to Longford's premier agricultural showcase after it was held last year on the grounds of John and Helen Kiernan in Carragh.
Fast forward 12 months and the event's 2023 equivalent is set for grounds owned by one of its joint sponsors, Sean Donohoe, just off the town's main N55.
The occasion, jointly sponsored by Sean and local agricultural consultant Charlie Burns, is one which also brings with it a changing of the guard at the committee's top table with Barry White assuming the mantle of outgoing chairperson Cynthia Cruise.
The Abbeyshrule man cut a relaxed figure at the event's launch night at Clancy's Bar in Granard last Thursday night as he looked ahead to spearheading a spectacle which is now in its 87th year.
“It’s not too bad because we have great committee members and you can spread it out among the whole committee which means there isn’t as much pressure on my own shoulders,” he said.
Despite it being his first year at the helm, Barry is no novice when it comes to knowing how and what a county ploughing championship entails.
Having been assistant chairperson for the past number of years, Barry's father Raymond held the same role he now occupies for 12 years.
“I always went to the ploughing meetings and had a bit of interest in it and I just followed on from him,” said Barry.
As for how preparations are going ahead of the March 26 event, Barry said there will be plenty on offer for all the family to enjoy.
“There will be trade stands and amusements for kids and it is a good family filled day,” he said, before turning his focus to what makes Longford stand out from its neighbouring counterparts.
“Once we have good competitors and a good day, that makes it all,” he said.
Aside from the many stands on display, spectators will be treated to live entertainment from Brid Shaughnessy star of 'Glór Tíre ar TG4' and Donegal country music star Paul Kelly and his band.
The pair will be illustrating their ploughing expertise come championships day itself in a Celebrity Ploughing Challenge.
It may be a little over two weeks away and while significant parts of the finer details of the day have already been pencilled in, for Barry and company there is still plenty of work to do.
“There will be preparations up to the day itself and there is always room for an extra pair of hands,” he said.