Horses take centre stage at day two of Ploughing 2024

Perfect conditions and large crowds greeted the horse ploughing competitors, who graced day two of the 2024 National Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska in Co. Laois

It was a true highlight of the event.

In contrast to day one, where the activity centred on stubble ground, the horse ploughing saw the competitors tackling a fresh, grass sward.

But, by common consensus, the ploughing conditions for everyone were excellent, and the standards achieved by everyone taking part reflected this reality.

The Senior Plough Class was won by Gerry Reilly from Co. Galway, with JJ Delaney from Co. Cork placing second. Michael Burke Burke from Co. Galway, placed third.

Meanwhile, the Under-40 Horse Plough Class was won by Jeremiah Delaney, from Co. Cork, who is no stranger to the National Ploughing Championships.

Killian Lydon from Co. Galway was placed second, with Jonathan Trant from Co. Kerry coming in third place.

Loy digging also feared prominently on day two of Ploughing 2024.

Up to the end of the 19^th century, most land in Ireland was tilled by hand with the use of the loy or similar tools.

There is much evidence in many of our fields, with tracks and ridges of bygone days both for grain and potatoes.

Spade ridges from beneath the blanket bogs in north Mayo’s Céide Fields date back over 4,000 years to the Bronze Age.

The Senior Men’s loy digging Class was won by Oliver Peoples from Co. Donegal. Placed second was Brian Casey, from Co. Longford with another Donegal man, Gerry Mallon, coming in third.

The Junior Men’s loy class was won by Adrian Grace, form Co. Cork with Mat Connell, from Co. Longford, and Glen Hunter placed second and third respectively.

Other results from day two at Ploughing 2024

Farmerette Conventional Class

1st: Ailish Osborne, Co. Kildare;

2^nd: Ellen Nyhan, Co. Cork;

3^rd: Siobhan Dermody, Co. Kilkenny.

Loy Digging: Junior Ladies

1^st: Deirdre Casey, Co. Longford;

2^nd: Pauline Lavin, Co. Roscommon;

3^rd: Ruth Hunter, Co. Sligo.

Novice Two-Furrow Conventional Intermediate Plough Class

1^st: Eimear Duffy, Co. Meath;

2^nd: Rob Duffy, Co. Tipperary;

3^rd: Tiegan Dunne, Co. Laois.

Novice Two-Furrow Conventional Junior Plough Class

1^st: Jack O’ Meara, Co. Offaly;

2^nd: Oisin McConnon, Co. Monaghan;

3^rd: Patrick Hennelly, Co. Mayo.

Novice Two-Furrow Conventional Senior Plough Class

1^st: Patrick Murphy, Co. Wexford;

2^nd: Darragh Aylward, Co. Kilkenny;

3^rd: Chloe Dennehy, Co. Cork.