Poor weather blew us off course admits event boss

PLOUGHING boss Anna Marie Mchugh said this year’s event has been one of the most challenging of her career.

The assistant director of the National Ploughing Association told the Irish Mirror of the problems caused by

Storm Ali.

The event was extended to yesterday after the decision not to open on Wednesday

Ms Mchugh, pictured, said: “It’s as difficult a week as I have had in my professional years but I suppose saying that I genuinely think we did exactly what we could when we could.

“The majority are happy we opened [yesterday]. For people with a lot of stock you need to move it on and those stands are busy.

“you can always learn. We Car parked in field would have been very up to date on rain management and what to do on the ground.”

And Ms Mchugh said numbers are lower this year due to the weather.

She added: “Overall the numbers will be down. We normally have about 80,000 to 100,000 on a day and we wouldn’t be coming anywhere near that kind of figure.

“It’s a hit on the pocket but you just have to carry on. Today alone would cost us in excess of €1million. There was never going to be a return on today.

“Events like this would push you to the pin of your collar.”

And she said the NPA will be holding off on officially naming the location of next year’s event after the chairman of the Dail’s agriculture committee Pat Deering revealed on Thursday it would be in Carlow.