The National Ploughing Championships is a spectacle that has to be seen to be believed. Besides the ploughing, there is something of interest for everyone.

Thousands and thousands of people were in attendance (official figure 190,000) with those with a waterways interest represented by Waterways Ireland, the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and the Heritage Boat Association.

Members of the HBA came by boat or car for a day, two days or three and stayed on the boats and barges moored on the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal. All were greeted by our hosts for the event, Bernie and Charlie Mackey on Barge 53M and Eunice and Cliff Jeffers on Barge 4B. At the end of each day, one really appreciated the location of the moored boats, when sitting comfortably in the wheelhouse with a cup of tea, watching the crowds in assorted ‘wellies’, begin the long trek to their parked cars.

Photos by Conor Nolan

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