Laois native and Managing Director of the National Ploughing Championships Anna May McHugh is being featured in a documentary showing an intimate insight into the life of ‘Banríon An Plough’.
The National Ploughing Championships and Anna May have captured the hearts and imaginations of the nation, particularly in recent years.
Held in the early Autumn, the event has grown from a mere 40 entries at the 1931 inaugural competition to become Europe’s largest outdoor exhibition and trade show.
Staged over three days, it has long ceased to be solely an agricultural event, mirroring the State Fairs of the U.S.
The Ploughing, as it’s known, is a national phenomenon attracting annual crowds of almost 300,000, two thirds of whom are not involved in agriculture.
Anna May who has worked with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) for 67 years, almost 50 of which have been at the helm.
Now 84 years old, she shows no sign of retiring from the organisation, as she embarks on putting together yet another annual event.
Anna May – Banríon An Plough is a one-hour observational documentary following Anna May over the course of four months, in the build up and staging of the eventful 2018 National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co. Offaly.
Anna May gives insight into the current event, as well as her deep historical knowledge, going back to the 1940s. Incorporating footage from this year’s ill-fated Championships along with archive footage from previous decades.
This is a compelling account of what the Championship organisers had to do when faced with the devastating winds of Storm Ali. For only the second time in it’s 87 year history, the event was forced to close it’s doors to the public.
The documentary raises issues like; What does it take to organise an event of this scale? What is the personal toll on those involved?
At a time when there are fewer farmers than ever in the fields and farm incomes are at an all time low, what is the significance of the event to those who participate in and attend the National Ploughing Championships?
Anna May – Banríon An Plough is produced by Power Pictures Ltd. and will be broadcast on TG4 on Christmas Day at 9.25pm.
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