Crowds have continued to flock to the National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, as 110,000 passed through the gates on Day Two.
Fears of showers in the afternoon failed to deter the masses from attending the largest outdoor agricultural exhibition in Europe today.
The impressive footfall brings the total for the first two days of the event to 211,000, an all time high, up by 6,500 on the corresponding two days in 2015.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny was one of the many politicians in attendance at this year’s event and he paid tribute to Ms Anna McHugh, the National Ploughing Association (NPA) staff and the hundreds of volunteers need to host the event every year.
Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, also took to the walk ways of Screggan, where he outlined his plans for the creation of a National Tillage Forum and possible income tax changes in the upcoming budget.
Speaking this evening, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said the showers in the afternoon failed to dampen the spirits of those who attended day two of the three day extravaganza.
“We expected large crowds again today given the positive reports and great feedback received yesterday, and even showers in the afternoon didn’t dampen the party mood and festive spirit,” she said.
Wexford man claims Macra Two Furrow ploughing competition
Wexford man, William Kehoe, took top honours in Macra Two Furrow ploughing competition on the second day of action in Screggan.
Kehoe, who runs a tillage and contracting operation in Co. Wexford made the long trip up to Tullamore from Cushinstown in Co. Wexford on Monday night.
The Wexford-native had competed in the competition last year and was also the Wexford Macra representative in the FBD Young Farmer of the year competition which was held in September.
Kehoe competed against a number of young farmers and he claimed first place with six more points than his closest competitor.
Wexford man William Kehoe took top spot in the Macra Two Furrow Ploughing Competition