Father and daughter Michael and Aoife Ruddock from Ballinamore in Co. Leitrim have both secured a place in the final stages of this year’s National Brown Bread Baking Competitions.

Michael has been named as a finalist in the National Senior Brown Bread Baking Competition, while Aoife was selected as one of the eight finalists in the National Junior Brown Bread Baking Competition.

Sponsored by Euronics in partnership with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and the Irish Country Women’s Association (ICA), the competitions celebrate Ireland’s love of brown bread and the baking traditions passed down through generations.

The semi-finals of both competitions will take place at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly on September 15 and 16, with both finals taking place on September 17.

For Aoife, the competition will see her take on some of Ireland’s most talented young bakers aged 12-18, with the winning junior baker set to receive a €1,500 Euronics voucher, with an additional €1,500 Euronics voucher awarded to their school.

For the senior competition, the overall winner is set to receive €5,000 in cash and a NEFF Slide & Hide Oven worth over €2,000, the same model used on 'The Great British Bake Off'. 

Speaking on the achievement, Aoife Ruddock said: “I am so excited to have been picked for the brown bread competition and to attend the National Ploughing Championships for the first time.”

Michael Ruddock said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be selected as a finalist and I’m really looking forward to taking part in this year's National Brown Bread Baking Competition alongside Aoife.”

Main competition

Michael Ruddock joins seven other finalists in the National Brown Bread Baking Competition.

The competition has seen more than 130 loaves submitted by bakers from across Ireland, with judges faced with the difficult task of selecting the eight breads worthy of a place in the final stages.

The successful finalists, representing five counties, have each earned their place through their baking skills, with recipes ranging from well-loved family traditions to personal takes on the classic Irish brown loaf.

For those attending the National Ploughing Championships, the competition will offer a chance to see the finalists bake their loaves under pressure, as they put their recipes, techniques and years of baking experience to the test.

Therese Lonergan from Co. Westmeath said: “I am delighted but totally surprised that my entry has been chosen.

"I’m looking forward to participating in Tullamore in September.”

Junior competition

Alongside Aoife Ruddock, seven finalists in the National Junior Brown Bread Baking Competition have also been announced.

The finalists represent six counties, with each young baker bringing their own story, baking style and family traditions to the competition.

Speaking on his achievement, 12-year-old finalist Callum McKeague from Co. Donegal said: “I can’t believe I qualified and am looking forward to coming from Donegal to compete.

"Getting time off school is an added bonus.”

Cara Wall from Co. Dublin said: "It’s an honour to be sharing my 96-year-old granny Moya’s brown bread recipe and I’m thrilled to have progressed so far in the competition.”