60th anniversary celebrations for North Tipperary Ploughing Championships

CLOUGHJORDAN will host the 60th Annual North Tipperary Ploughing Championships on Sunday March 2nd with a start up time of 12 noon sharp on lands owned by the Swan family by kind permission, E53 WF51.

1993 was the last time the ploughing took place on the Swan farm so the committee is delighted to be back there again on this their 60th anniversary. Competitors take note, please pre-enter by Wednesday night February 26th to Denis on (087) 7793 719. Exhibitors are also welcome on the day to display their merchandise and if interested call the above number too. All welcome.

This year the Novice match will be held the day before, Saturday March 1st, at 12 noon on the same site. Anyone aged 16 and over that is interested in trying their hand at turning the sod, please call the secretary Denis on (087) 7793 719.

All of the usual many tractor classes will be accommodated, along with a farmerette class, horse class and a vintage class.

On November 7th 1965 a meeting was called in Rathcabbin Hall for all those interested in setting up a ploughing committee. There was a big attendance and a committee was successfully formed. They had no funds to run a competition, so the meeting decided to have a house to house collection which netted £108. With enough funds gathered, Rathcabbin Ploughing Association was formed and from then to this present day, the North Tipperary ploughing championships are run under the auspices of Rathcabbin Ploughing Association. The new committee decided to hold a match in February 1966 on the lands of Pat Reddan and family, Cullagh.

The championships have taken place in many a field around the North of the county ever since, for which the committee are most grateful to the landowners. Many a grand title too has been won ever since and All-Ireland success has certainly not been scarce either, but the biggest achievement in the sixty year history of North Tipperary ploughing, is that Coolbawn man John Slattery represented Ireland in the World Championships which were held in England in 2000. The late John struck a magnificent blow for ploughing in North Tipp.

In 2015, Ethan Harding represented the Republic of Ireland in the two furrow class at the European Ploughing Championships which was held in the Netherlands. This was a great achievement for Ethan and for North Tipp Ploughing.

Just last September 2024, the club’s then chairman Ray Clancy travelled to the six nations vintage ploughing event which was held in Wales. Ray did very well and came in joint first position, striking another blow for the North Tipp Ploughing.

So to see the best in action, then this is an ideal opportunity for people to come along and view the work of the ploughmen and women that compete on the day. Head on over to Modreeny on Sunday March 2nd and take a look at the expertise from this dedicated group of people. Admission on the gate is by voluntary contribution with proceeds going to North Tipperary Hospice.

Refreshments will be served in the tent by the ploughing ladies committee and here again all voluntary contributions will go to the hospice. Raffle tickets will be on sale for lovely spot prizes and are available from members or can be purchased on the day with the traditional presentation of trophies to the prize winners taking place along with the raffle on Saturday night March 29th in Paddy’s, Terryglass and all are welcome.

All in all the day promises to be a wonderful family day out and they invite everyone to come along and help make the 60th North Tipperary Ploughing Championships as popular as previous years. See you there!!