Longford council Cathaoirleach talks up return of ploughing finals to Granard

If there is one person that’s perhaps prouder than most to see Longford’s county ploughing championships return to Granard, it is Turlough McGovern.

The Longford County Council cathaoirleach bleeds blue blood, evidenced none more so than his attendance at the event’s recently held launch night.

Like many of his generation, Cllr McGovern grew up in an era and pocket of the county that has steadily turned this highly skilled farming practice into something of an art form.

Standing inside the front door of Granard’s Bay Horse bar, the Independent local representative reflected on his own first experience with Longford’s annual marquee event.

“I remember back nearly upwards of 30 years ago when the ploughing was held in Paddy Durkin’s field as you go down for the complex at Granard at Higginstown,” he recalled.

“It was a big success at that time even though back then when there was a lot more horses around ploughing.

“As a young lag growing up in Granard, it certainly left me with great memories even though I wouldn’t traditionally be into the ploughing.”

The county’s first citizen might not be a seasoned ploughing campaigner, but whatever shortcomings he may profess to in that respect he more than makes up for in enthusiasm and pride for his native town.

“I am delighted to see the ploughing back in Granard after such a successful event last year in the Kiernan family field,” he said, not before reserving a special mention for competitors and sponsors alike.

“It is a great honour to see it here. You only get the one year as cathaoirleach of the county and it is great to be there to acknowledge the good land we have around north Longford and the Granard area.”

Looking back on the event’s corresponding finals day 12 months earlier, Cllr McGovern said the “serious success” of that occasion underlined the capabilities of Granard to stage an event of such calibre.

“Hopefully it will be a follow on from last year which was a serious success,” he said. “That was at a time too when we had just come out of Covid and people were delighted to get out in the good weather.

“The weather with all those types of outdoor events is key.”

There were plaudits too for the event’s small, but dedicated band of committee members who, he said, continue to set new benchmarks on an annual basis.

“It’s not an easy task to take on from year to year,” he said.

“These things don’t happen lightly and I wish them the best of luck.”

And, as for trying his hand at rolling up his sleeves on Sunday afternoon, Cllr McGovern comically replied: “I am nearly ploughing all my life and sure another bit won’t matter to me.”