County Ploughing Championships scheduled for Derrane this Sunday

< DAN DOONER

There was a good turnout at the launch of the 2023 Roscommon County Ploughing Championships in Rattigan’s Bar, Kilrooskey on Thursday night last. This year’s championships are scheduled to take place on the lands of the McDermott family at Hollywell, Derrane on Sunday (April 2nd), weather permitting.

Speaking at last Thursday’s launch, Chairperson of the County Ploughing Association, Padraig Nolan, thanked all sponsors including main sponsor Roscommon Mart.

He said the Roscommon Ploughing Championships were thirty years in existence next year, having started in 1994. “Some of the original members are still with us and that’s testament to this organisation and that they still tolerate us and we still tolerate them!”

Mr Nolan said the championships had travelled around County Roscommon over the last 30 years and thanked this year’s hosts, the McDermott family.

Paying tribute to the Roscommon Ploughing committee for 2023, he said: “The committee this year has a greater gender balance and is more youthful than at any time (over the years). It looks good for the future”.

Mr Nolan highlighted the impressive line-up this year and urged all those in attendance to “pray for good weather” ahead of Sunday’s event.