Lots to interest UK visitors at biggest one yet

18 September 1998

Lots to interest UK visitors at biggest one yet

Ireland is building up to its

annual agricultural jamboree:

The combined Irish National

Ploughing Championships

and Machinery and Livestock

exhibition. In this feature we

look at what the event offers,

profile two of the countries

leading machinery firms and

review the Irish industry

EUROPES biggest Farming Festival takes place from Sept 29 – Oct 1 in Ferns, County Wexford, when the combined 1998 Irish National Ploughing Championship and Machinery and Livestock exhibition is staged.

The event is of interest not only to Irelands farmers, but that of the UK, too; those with an inkling of machinery knowledge know Irish firms are responsible for a significant volume of machinery used in the UK and beyond.

Company entries for this years event, held on a 20ha (50-acre) site, are reported by the organisers to be approaching the 800 mark, to make it the biggest show yet.

Two of the main attractions they insist will be the 14ha (35-acre) dedicated machinery demonstration area and the new livestock village, where visitors can get expert information on modern commercial cattle and sheep breeding techniques.

But the exhibition is not only about business, there is also the craic. For those looking for other attractions, the event will also be holding an inter hunt chase and a host of other entertainments, including local and national entertainers performing on the Guinness Gig Rig.