Visitors bask in glorious sunshine on day one of the 2024 Ploughing Championships

Despite the beautiful weather, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for rural people, with the Irish Examiner's Rural Ireland Thinks poll showing that the cost of living is still weighing heavily on their minds.

In fact, cost of living and inflation are issues of most concern for rural dwellers, and they are bringing these concerns to politicians who, with a general election looming, have been front and centre at the ‘ploughing’.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said the poll of most concern to Fianna Fáil is the next general election when the public gives its ultimate verdict, following an Irish Examiner poll of rural Ireland showing the party at 22%, with overall support for Fine Gael on 27%, and Sinn Féin on 18%.

“If we want to look at polls, I would point to the local elections where Fianna Fáil came out as the largest party in local Government and indeed doubled our seats in the European Parliament,” Mr McConalogue said.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, meanwhile, said the “big conversation seems to be about sustainability and succession on farms, preparing for the next generation”.

She said there is a “real fear that farming may not be viable or attractive for young people”.

Away from politics, National Ploughing Association managing director Anna May McHugh hailed the event as a “national stage for showcasing all things agricultural” and bringing together “people from all sectors of Irish society, both rural and urban, to enjoy three days immersed in country living”.

In the competitive ploughing stakes, the addition of the European vintage championships on Tuesday and Wednesday is attracting participants and their followers from Great Britain, Belgium, and Germany.

A strong programme has attracted entries from all around the country, bringing the number preparing to plough in Co Laois to over 300 across the three days.

One team out in the field this week consisted of Co Kildare friends Stephen Byrne, David Gorey, and Donal Fitzpatrick.

As Mr Gorey took part in the under-40 horse plough class on Tuesday, while Mr Byrne echoed the views of many competitors: “We all love horses, that’s how we’re involved, it’s the love of the horses that we’re all together today."

He added: “We have a passion for this. We took it up as a hobby and we grew to like it!”

While they have been involved in working with horses “all our lives”, it is only their second year competing in ploughing matches — and Mr Byrne describes it as “a therapy”.

Working with horses helps the men to clear their heads, he added.

Early start for @philldoylephoto and Dan Linehan @irishexaminer to catch the sunrise. #Ploughing2024 pic.twitter.com/zcUk2ZlohZ

— Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) September 17, 2024

“The minute that clock goes off in the morning you have that excitement, you get a buzz,” Mr Byrne added.

He said to be working the horses with Mr Gorey and Mr Fitzpatrick, it gives him hope for the practice continuing.

“You need the youngsters coming along; without them you’re at nothing, no matter what it is — as long as you see the kids playing football, hurling, camogie, soccer that’s what life is about. 

"To keep everything going, you need the younger generation. We should be encouraging them.” 

All of the firm favourite attractions have also returned this year such as sheep shearing, hunt chase, pony games, and more.

The hunt is on this week for ‘Ireland’s fittest farmer’ at the event, with the contest hosted by Zurich being presided over by Davy Fitzgerald, while Lidl is searching this week for Ireland’s fastest milker.