National Ploughing Championships 2024: Ratheniska
The 93rd National Ploughing Championships took place at Ratheniska, County Laois, on 17–19 September 2024, mixing ploughing contests with a farm show.
17–19 September 2024, Ratheniska, Ratheniska, County Laois, Ireland
The 93rd National Ploughing Championships were held on 17–19 September 2024 at Ratheniska, County Laois, combining ploughing contests with a farm exhibition.
What happened at National Ploughing Championships 2024
Ratheniska in County Laois hosted the 93rd National Ploughing Championships on 17–19 September 2024. The National Ploughing Association organised the event, which joins ploughing competitions with a large exhibition linked to farming. It is a broad agricultural and rural-community gathering rather than a closed trade fair. Competition results were published after the three days.
That mix gave the 2024 edition its particular feel. Visitors met machinery, services and brands aimed at the wider public as well as at farmers. Exhibitors came with different goals: talking to farm owners, building brand image or finding a local distributor. A busy stand did not always mean buyers with purchasing power, so many firms planned their business meetings separately.
The Championships mattered to Irish farms, dealers, service firms and industry organisations. For suppliers from abroad, talks about farm infrastructure, animal management and equipment use opened a window on Irish needs. The most useful contacts could describe their production system, the scale of their work and their role in buying. For media and associations, the event also showed how machinery and rural tradition shape farming's public image.
The ploughing results recorded the sporting side of the event, not a comparative test of the machines on display. Visitors and exhibitors gained a clearer picture of the Irish audience. They saw who farms what, who buys, and which local partners can provide support after the show.
Highlights
- 93rd edition, 17–19 September 2024, Ratheniska, County Laois
- Organised by the National Ploughing Association
- Ploughing competitions alongside a farm-focused exhibition
Agricultural events 2024
