President to open Ploughing in Tullamore in one of last engagements before leaving Aras

IN one of his last major public engagements before his final term in office comes to an end, President Michael D Higgins will officially open the National Ploughing Championships on Tuesday, September 16.

Speaking at the launch of the championships at the site in Screggan last month, National Ploughing Association (NPA) managing director Anna May McHugh confirmed President Higgins' attendance and decision to formally open the event at noon on Day One.

“Since he became President he's never missed a National Ploughing Championships and we're very grateful for that,” said Ms McHugh.

The National Ploughing also took place at the Screggan venue in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and this year will be the ninth time for Offaly to host it.

In 2018, President Higgins and his wife Sabina were entertained by singers and musicians from Sacred Heart School, Tullamore.

The presence of the President underlines the importance of the event which the NPA say is the biggest showcase of its kind in Europe.

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