Macroom man, Johnny Lynch, hailed as Ireland’s only buffalo farmer, and star of Aldi’s Italian-flavoured ad, will be saying “ciao” at the Aldi marquee on the opening day of the National Ploughing Championships, Tuesday, September 19.

Sharing the limelight will be one of his buffalo.

Lynch’s award-winning Macroom Buffalo Mozzarella is supplied to all of Aldi’s 129 stores, under its ‘specially selected’ label. Over 35 of Aldi’s Irish suppliers will be tempting tastebuds by showcasing multi-award winning ranges of Irish-sourced food and drink.

Entertainment will be provided at the marquee by Irish country music star Mike Denver and ‘Dancing with the Stars’ professional Karen Byrne. Visitors are encouraged to get to the marquee during Denver’s daily set on stage, to be in with a chance of scooping a complimentary stetson.

Irish rugby and soccer stars of past and present will be dropping by to support Aldi Play Rugby, the Aldi-supported IRFU initiative that enables children to get involved in rugby in a safe and fun manner, and Aldi Community Games.

buffalo

Buffalo farmer Johnny Lynch

Tuesday will see Karen Byrne of ‘Dancing with the Stars’  joined by members of Ferbane, Ballycumber and Banagher Foroige clubs from Co. Offaly. Outside, Aldi Play Rugby will take centre stage, with children given the chance to take part.

Aldi will once again sponsor the National Brown Bread Baking Competition, in association with the National Ploughing Championships (NPA) and the Irish Countrywomens’ Association (ICA).

Day one will also see the Foroige Junior Baking Competition get underway in the marquee. Both competitions will run for the three days, with the overall winners announced on Thursday.

On Wednesday, former Republic of Ireland goalkeeping legend, Packie Bonner, will pop in to promote Community Games. The main stage will see chef, Mick Quinn, teaming up with a selection of suppliers for cookery demonstrations. They will be joined by Paul O’Connell and Packie Bonner.

FoodCloud’s co-founder and CEO, Iseult Ward, with whom Aldi partners to redistribute its surplus food to charities and organisations, will be on-site on day two. She will provide advice on how we can minimise food waste.

On Thursday, members of the Irish women’s rugby team will take part in some training. One of Ireland’s most capped former international soccer players, Kevin Kilbane, will stop by to promote Community Games.

Sile Seoige will be the MC at the marquee throughout the three days. The Mamia baby area will be back. New this year is a skin care zone.

Finbar McCarthy, group buying director at Aldi, said that supporting Irish agriculture and Irish food and drink is of huge importance to Aldi. “Over 50% of our supplier spend is now with Irish producers,” he said.

The Aldi marquee is located at Block 4, Row 10, stand 250.