Roscommon Ploughing Association recently held its annual awards night at Castlecoote Lodge, celebrating the winners of the classes contested at the County Ploughing Championships in Fuerty on May 3rd and recognising the volunteers, sponsors and supporters who continue to sustain the tradition of competitive ploughing in the county.
PRO Dylan Beirne confirmed that the overall category winners will represent County Roscommon at the National Ploughing Championships, which take place in Screggan, Tullamore, from September 15th to 17th. Chairman Ger Grehan thanked the Fuerty community and surrounding areas for the welcome and support extended to the Association during the County Championships. Following the presentations, members and guests enjoyed music, dancing and refreshments as another successful year for Roscommon Ploughing Association was celebrated.
Novices encouraged to carry tradition forward
Ger Grehan highlighted the importance of the novice competitions in encouraging young people to become involved in competitive ploughing. County Novice Champion Oisín Connolly of Creggs, who was coached by experienced ploughman John Hanley, will represent Roscommon at the National Championships for the second successive year.
Sean Richardson of Fuerty finished runner-up, while Ciarán Keane of Mount Talbot, Connor Fuery of Knockcroghery and Séan Greene of Taughmaconnell also performed with distinction. Bernard Egan from County Longford also took the opportunity to gain experience by competing alongside the Roscommon novices.
Ger said the novice competition gives young people an opportunity to develop practical skills, reconnect with the land and form lasting friendships within the ploughing community. He also emphasised its educational value in demonstrating the importance of soil cultivation and food production while helping to preserve an important part of Ireland’s rural heritage.
Dylan Beirne, a former Roscommon novice and now an Under-28 competitor, presented the novice competitors with commemorative jackets sponsored by his newly established engineering business,
Beirne Industrial Solutions Ltd. Having progressed through the novice ranks himself, Dylan said he was pleased to support the next generation and give something back to an Association that had provided him with opportunities, friendships and personal development.
Promoting the traditional Irish loy
Pauline Lavin received a special presentation of flowers from NPA Roscommon Director Martina Beirne in recognition of her commitment to promoting the traditional art of loy digging. Martina praised Pauline for mentoring newcomer Rachel O’Grady of Four Mile House and for their efforts to promote the loy at both the St Patrick’s Day and Easter parades, where they helped Roscommon Ploughing Association secure second place in the Roscommon Easter Parade.
Pauline and Rachel will represent County Roscommon in the Senior and Junior Ladies’ Loy Digging competitions respectively at the National Championships in September. Pauline previously won the Ladies’ Junior All-Ireland Loy Championship and has continued to encourage others to become involved in the tradition.
Six art sets were also presented to Teresa Hanley and Jacintha Whyte, who coordinated the Association’s colouring competition with the local primary school. The competition was based on an illustration created by Martina highlighting the traditional Irish loy, the hand-forged spade that played a central role in farming before the arrival of modern machinery.
Roscommon team prepares for national stage
Seven competitors are due to represent the county in Screggan: Oisín Connolly of Creggs in Novice Ploughing; Dylan Beirne of Ballinaghelish in Under-28 Conventional; Olsen North in Under-40 Horse; John Hanley of Creggs in Two-Furrow Junior Conventional; James Coffey of Lecarrow in Horse Ploughing; Pauline Lavin of Strokestown in Ladies’ Senior Loy Digging; and Rachel O’Grady of Four Mile House in Ladies’ Junior Loy Digging.
Roscommon Ploughing Association wished the full team every success as they prepare for September and expressed the hope that they will add further All-Ireland honours to the county’s record.
Remembering Johnny Gallagher
Roscommon Ploughing Association also acknowledged the recent passing of former member Johnny Gallagher of Fuerty, a previous host of the County Ploughing Championships.
PRO Dylan Beirne described Johnny as a valued, loyal and dedicated member whose contribution at county and national level would not be forgotten. In his role as a National Head Supervisor, Johnny earned the respect of those who worked alongside him and was remembered as a natural leader who brought people together, shared his knowledge and encouraged others to become involved.
Dylan said he had been especially privileged to coach Johnny’s grandson, Sean Richardson, who competed in this year’s Novice Ploughing Championships and continued the Gallagher family’s long-standing association with the organisation.
As members mourned Johnny’s passing, they also celebrated the lasting impact of his friendship, leadership, wisdom and generosity on the Association and the wider ploughing community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
