Brendan Greene from Ratheniska is one of a number of Laois people to be actually competing in the Ploughing championships this week – he’s U-28 conventional ploughing which begins today.
Ahead of it all getting underway he took time to reflect on his Ploughing experience over a number of years.
1 – What’s your involvement in/relationship with the Ploughing Championship?
I compete at under 28 level in the conventional plough class. It is a very competitive class with ploughmen from Northern Ireland to Cork involved. I will be Ploughing Tuesday and if I come in the top two I will qualify to plough Wednesday.
2 – What’s your earliest Ploughing Championship memory?
I remember being brought to the Championships in Ballacolla by my Dad and uncle Jim. My brother, cousin and friends would all go together. It was a great day out and a day off school! I remember seeing the ploughmen ploughing and I wanted to pursue it as a hobby when I was old enough.
3 – What’s your favourite thing about the Ploughing?
Meeting everyone that’s involved in the ploughing itself. I have friends all over Ireland because of ploughing. Everyone involved in farming nowadays is busy most of the time. Local matches are all run at different stages throughout the year nation wide and the national event brings everyone together. After the competitions each day when viewing other people’s work and walking through the exhibitions you see loads of familiar faces and it’s great to catch up with everyone.
4 – What’s the most unusual thing you’ve seen/experienced at the Ploughing?
Taking part in the Tractor football last year! Although it was a good laugh!
5 – Describe your typical Ploughing day?
We leave Ratheniska at about 6 and once we arrive I would go and get the tractor and plough ready in the assembly yard. I’d get out to the ploughing plots for half 8. The competition starts at half ten and runs until half two.
After the competition, I’d usually take a look at all the jobs others have done and we would try and guess who has won. I’d usually go for a bit to eat then and look at some of the exhibition. The results of the ploughing are read out at 6 in the evening and then we would head home (hopefully with some silverware)!
6 – What one thing would you change about the Ploughing if you could?
I would change two things. I would up it to a four day event and have the last day on a Saturday for people who can’t take a day off work during the week.
7 – What are you most looking forward to this year?
My friend Ricky Quillinan is showing his pure bred Limousin heifer in the livestock exhibition. I’m looking forward to seeing him take gold! He’s put in a great effort all year with her!
8 – Who’s the most famous person you’ve come across?
The president of Ireland Michael D Higgins. I was fortunate enough to meet him in 2013.
SEE ALSO – The Ploughing and I: ‘A fantastic celebration of the Irish agricultural industry’
