With some 82,000 visitors to the first day of the 2014 National Ploughing Championships, it was a busy day for visitors and exhibitors alike.
While the rain threatened to dampen the first day, early-morning showers had cleared by the time the first visitors were on site. Some drops around 5pm only threatened to turn into a shower, but held off.
Here is a selection of some of the events and people of the first day at Ratheniska, Co. Laois.
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- Martin Phelan from Castletown, Portlaoise, with his children: Aaron; Sarah; Kieran and Anna.
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- Adjudicators Martin Hession, from Co Galway, and Kenneth Smyth, from Co. Cavan.
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- President Michael D. Higgins is escorted onto the site.
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- Eamonn McKeown, from Co Louth, taking part in the Intermediate Classes at today’s National Ploughing Championships.
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- Discussing the techniques that go to the heart of good ploughing: National Ploughing Championships stewards Thomas Garry, from Co Offaly, and Patrick O’Brien, from Co Wicklow.
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- The President, Michael D. Higgins at the official opening.
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- Martin Riley, competing in today’s Intermediate Class at the National Ploughing Championships.
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- Charlie Keegan, World Champion, in pictures.
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- Selfie time at the Glanbia stand.
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- Patrick Commone from Co Kildare, stepping out in style with his pair of Irish and French Draught geldings – Bob and Clyde.
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- Say ‘milk’!!
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- Old style saw milling in action.
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- Farm Relief Services, showing that milking is child’s play!
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- One of the most popular stands on day on was Supervalu.
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- At the end of the day….