The farm of Eamonn and Helen Leonard at Ardmullen, Kiltoom, is the place to be this Sunday as the 2008 County Roscommon Ploughing Championships takes place. The event will be officially opened by former Roscommon footballer Gerry O’Malley. There will be lots of sideshows, family events and trade stands to visit on the day, apart from the many ploughing competitions taking place for prize money of over €9,000. There are eight ploughing classes from senior to vintage. Classes will include senior open class, three furrow standard, under 21 and under 28, farmerette class for the ladies, two and three furrow class, horse classes, junior class and vintage class. One novel event in this year’s championship is a manpower pulling event, which will see ten men attempting to pull a plough. You’d never know, between rising diesel prices and the need to reduce our carbon footprint, it could be the way forward! The event will take place in the later portion of the afternoon. The annual ploughing championships in County Roscommon is always a great day out for children and is a very family-friendly event. Apart from getting some fresh air and learning lots about farming, children can also enjoy the many bouncing castles, slides and other attractions on offer. There will be vintage and horse classes, tractor competitions, and a huge machinery and trade display, sheepdog trials (under guidance of local man Barra O’Brien), dog shows, and a model farm exhibition. The dog show this year will feature a total of 15 classes. Other events taking place on Sunday include a hunt chase and time trials by members of Roscommon Hunt, a major craft village display and of course the Rose of the Plough will also be chosen on the day. Get yourself along to Kiltoom for what promises to be a great day. See you there!
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