The 2013 National Ploughing Championships are starting Tuesday the 24 of September.

One of Europe’s largest Outdoor Exhibitions and Agricultural Trade Shows the National Ploughing Championships attracts on average 1,100 exhibitors and 189,000 visitors. This year’s National Ploughing Championships 2013 will take place from 24th to 26th September Stradbally, Co. Laois.

Standing Patient Waiting For Their Que to Plough

Standing Patient Waiting For Their Signal to Plough

These images are from the 2012 Ploughing Championships which were held down in County Wexford. The day before I went in 2012 it poured rain so it was a very muddy day with blasts of rain then clear sunny hot spells.

Muddy Arrival in 2012

Muddy Arrival in 2012

Sheltering From the Rain with some Sheep Watching People Walking By

Sheltering From the Rain with some Sheep Watching People Walking Past

This is a huge event in the farming calender as farmers from all over Ireland migrate to the one location meeting old friends and making new ones. This year Elaine Hall of @newfarmerette and myself as @Zwartblesie are looking forward to meeting as many tweeting farmers as possible at the band stand near the Ploughing Championships head quarters at 2pm on the Wednesday 25 of September. Elaine and I met via twitter we both got on really well just using the twitter allotment of 140 characters. We struggled through lambing tweeting each other at the odd hours one does in the middle of the night. I could tweet “Anyone out there sharing this cold wet windy night with me?” and I would get tweets from farmers all over Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England they might be milking, calving, lambing, looking after a sick animal or even foaling in the small hours of the night when the rest of Europe was sleeping. I have found wonderful support, information, friendship, as well as selling my Zwartbles Blankets via twitter.

Me & Elaine in August

Me & Elaine in August 2013

Last year Elaine and I met for the first time at the Ploughing Championships. We were both very nervous meeting up for the first time; would this woman and I really get on as well in person as we did on twitter? We had never heard each others voice or knew what the other looked like as we had both hidden behind our anonymous twitter avatar’s and hadn’t exchanged phone numbers, just in case one thought the other a mad thing. Neither of us should have worried we sat and had a cup of tea and chatted like we were long lost sisters. We have met up several times and stay in touch, often unrelated to twitter. I have since met and enjoyed the company of many farmers and others whom I only knew by their twitter avatar, so far none have disappointed.

For those of you who have never been to the Ploughing Championships I have posted photographs to give you a taste of what goes on.

Here is Looking at You

Here is Looking at You

A city of tents and sheds are built up over one or two sometimes even 3 farms to accommodate this festival of farming.

Crowds Moving Along the Tented Avenues

Crowds Moving Along the Tented Avenues

Everyone is inspecting equipment that they dream of having or are in need of back home on the farm.

Digital Sheep Scales

Digital Sheep Scales

Dial Sheep Scales

Dial Sheep Scales

Also viewing some of the best livestock in the country.

Angus Bull

Angus Bull

Belgian Blue Show Class

Belgian Blue Show Class

A Farmer Resting With His Cattle

A Farmer Resting With His Cattle

Discovering new breeds of livestock.

Low Cost & Maintenance Red Cow

Low Cost & Maintenance Red Cow

Listening to livestock informational lectures.

Very Young Farmers Listening to Darren Carty

Very Young Farmer Listening to Darren Carty

Companies from all over the world have stands.

New Zealand Clothing Company

New Zealand Clothing Company

Exhibitions of Historical interest.

Vikings Set Sail

Vikings Set Sail

Crafts both modern and old are demonstrated.

Tablet Weaving A Viking Belt

Tablet Weaving A Viking Belt

People do lots of buying and selling. I thought this an inexpensive flock of sheep.

Sheep for Sale

Sheep for Sale

Loads of free things.

Standing in the Free High Viz Vests

Standing in the Free High Viz Vests Que

There is almost nothing you can not get, see or hear while at the Ploughing Championships.

Wool Washing Kit While Fleece is Still on the Sheep

Wool Washing Kit While Fleece is Still on the Sheep

What Happened Here? No Body Attached!! Maybe a Boot Puncture?

What Happened Here? No Body Attached!! Maybe a Boot Puncture?

If you pier over a hedge row you might spot the title of this festival taking place, the ploughing.

Ploughing Competition

Ploughing Competition

There is also the Horse Drawn Ploughing Championships singles and pairs.

Grandfather & Granddaughter Setting off in the Horse Drawn Ploughing Pairs

Grandfather & Granddaughter Setting off in the Horse Drawn Ploughing Pairs

Ploughing is a Full Family Job 3 Generations Competing

Ploughing is a Full Family Job 3 Generations Competing

Nearly at the End of a Furrow

Nearing the End of a Furrow

Heading Home at Days End

Heading Home at Days End

National Ploughing Championships 2013

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