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20 Nov 2025
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20 Nov 2025
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More than 71,000 people passed through the gates at Ratheniska this Wednesday | PICTURE: Adrian Butler
ATTENDANCE figures for day 2 of the National Ploughing Championships in County Laois increased significantly thanks to the improved weather conditions.
According to the organisers, a total of 71,800 visitors passed through the gates at Ratheniska this Wednesday - up from 66,250 on Tuesday.
With weather much improved a buoyant mood prevailed throughout the 700-acre site.
Anna May McHugh, NPA Managing Director thanked the workers and volunteers for their Trojan efforts. “I have to pay an extraordinary special thanks to the NPA team, local landowners, gardai and volunteers who literally worked around the clock and all night to ensure that the site was suitable for visitors following the previous day’s adverse weather affects."
Anna May added: "It is also a huge testament to the great Irish character that everyone rallied and threw themselves into enjoying their day out following Tuesday’s wet weather.”
You never know what you might see at #Ploughing2023 pic.twitter.com/OASxKXy39U
— National Ploughing (@NPAIE) September 20, 2023
Wednesday saw the breaking of the world record for the most wellies being thrown in the air and the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gentleman competitions were hotly contested in the dedicated Fashion Show Marquee.
Roisin Fennin from Kildare beat off stiff competition to take the top prize and win an overnight stay for two in a deluxe Wineport Lodge lake view room with a pampering treatment and dinner & breakfast included.
The exclusive prize also includes a glamorous overnight stay in the Club at Goffs, a new chic boutique hotel with dinner by chef de cuisine Derry Clarke.
The Most Appropriately Dressed Gentleman, sponsored by the Midlands Park Hotel went to Daithi Fitzgerald from Kerry.
He has won an exclusive two-night escape in the luxury Midlands Park Hotel including dinner in the award winning Kelly’s Steakhouse with breakfast included.
Thursday is the final day of the 92nd National Ploughing Championships.
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