BEEFING SECURITY
Gardai out in force at farming fest
Anti-terror cops mingled with the crowd as the National Ploughing Championships extravaganza got underway yesterday. More than 112,000 farmers and city slickers flocked to the annual agricultural event in Co Offaly amid the beefed-up Garda presence. Security was at an all-time high to prevent any potential terror attack with 300 officers on site at the festival. Sgt Derek Duggan said officers were not taking any chances. He added: “We have certain units going undercover. There are specialised units doing recces all the time – there may be a potential attack but the risk down here is low to moderate.” But any terror threat was the last thing on visitors’ minds and with tractor carpool karaoke, guess the pig’s weight and sunrise yoga sessions at the National Dairy Council tent, the event isn’t just all Massey Fergusons and flat caps. Sheep shearing is a big draw and this year Ivan Scott is the one to beat, holding the world record after shearing 866 lambs in a ninehour day. Competitor George Graham from Gorey, Co Wexford, has represented Ireland 11 times as far afield as New Zealand. He said: “I’ve sheared a sheep in the 32 counties and in 30 countries so the sheep have got me around the world. “You have to practice, you must work with better sheep shearers to learn your craft. “At the Ploughing Championships you’re watching super athletes taking part in the Olympics of shearing.” Suckling and sheep farmer Michael Daffy, from Co Clare, added the event is like a form of “therapy”. He said: “I love to see what every other farmer has been up to during the year. “It’s a day out and seeing new things – hopefully we can afford it.” The championships in Tullamore also attracted celebrities including Vogue Williams, Louis Walsh, Sile Seoige and Glenda Gilson. And Vogue, who was on hand to help uncurl a pig’s tail, told how she has “tamed” her partner Spencer Matthews, famed for his lothario ways on Made In Chelsea. She said the public didn’t get to know the gent behind the facade and added they are moving in together “very soon”. It seems to be a relationship well worth cultivating Vogue.
MORE than 100,000 people turned out for Day One of the National Ploughing Championships yesterday. Thousands donned their wellies as the annual festivities kicked off. Looks like there’s money in muck...