North Tipperary Ploughing to host the classic vintage ploughing test for first time

NORTH Tipperary Ploughing will, for the first time, host the classic vintage ploughing test match this August. This is a great honour for the hard working North Tipp club members who are preparing to celebrate their 60^th anniversary next year.

Run by the Vintage Ploughing Association, eight competitors representing their individual counties, North Tipp, Clare, Kerry, Wicklow, Carlow, Wexford, Kilkenny and Cork East, will arrive in the North Tipp village of Ballycommon on August 10^th to battle it out on the ploughing field to be crowned the winner of the classic class as that person will then go ahead to represent Republic of Ireland in the European vintage championships which takes place during the National event in Ratheniska come September.

The Vintage Ploughing Association are also running an ‘classic visitors class’ with ten spots available. Counties are welcome to send competitors to participate in this class if they are interested in trying it out as a promotion of the class but pre-booking is essential direct by email to vintageploughingassoc@gmail.com or by phone to the secretary Aeneas Horan on (087) 946 0265.

The first all Ireland competition with about six competitors, was held in Ardfert Co Kerry on the land of Jim Collins, Ballymaquin, in 1984 which Cecil Ray from Northern Ireland won. Cecil was using a 1938 Fordson N for the event. The Class was Vintage Trailer, which is a plough pulled on wheels with no hydraulic lift. These ploughs were used during both World Wars. Mr Denis Murphy was instrumental in getting the Vintage included as an All Ireland Class, with the help of the late Bertie Murray (Carlow) and Andy O’Connell from Lisgriffin (Cork) and the late Terry Gibson (Longford). Andy also competed in the 1984 match and went on to win in 1985. He now manages the assembly area at the All Ireland and judges ploughing matches when time permits.
In 1988 a single furrow Class was introduced which was won by P.J. Lynham, and by Terry Gibson in 1989. The tractors used are mainly Farmall Cub, Massey Harris pony, and Deutz single cyl all under 22 HP.
Then in 1991 a 2 Furrow mounted Class was introduced and was won by Terry Gibson. This class is mainly made up of Ferguson, Massey Ferguson and Fordson Dexta. These three classes bring up to 45 competitors to the All Ireland competition.
Denis Murphy visited every county during the ploughing season and encouraged more and more people to compete and get involved knowing each and every vintage competitor by name. Sadly, Denis passed away in December 2021.
This year – 2024 – the Vintage Ploughing are hosting the European Vintage Competition in conjunction with NPA and there will be a new Classic Class for 2025 at the All Ireland.
While the competitors turn out in each of these counties with tractors and ploughs which have been restored to show the best of tractor competitor and plough, it could not go from strength to strength without the help of the NPA who provide insurance at local events and competitor packs and prizes at the All Ireland and encouragement to showcase the skill of good ploughing.

The three vintage classes are tractors and ploughs up to 1960, which were standard build at the time.

The Classic Class will be tractors and ploughs from 1960 to 1976 which were standard build during that period.

While the Vintage Ploughing Association of Ireland (VPAI) is showing the skill with these tractors and ploughs, it is enhanced by the people who come to watch. and it can remind them of days gone by.