Ploughing season kicks off with eventful day in Abbeydorney
MEMBERS of the Abbeydorney Ploughing Society will be keeping their fingers crossed for sunshine this Sunday, January 22, as the north Kerry village hosts the first ploughing match of the 2011 season.
The event will get underway on Corridan’s lands, Ballysheen at 12 noon, following the blessing of the field by Fr Denis O’mahony at 11.30am. Special guest on the day will be Arts Minister, Jimmy Deenihan.
The day’s events will be preceded by Mass for all deceased ploughmen and women of the parish in St Bernard’s church Abbeydorney on Saturday night at 7.30pm.
Kerry’s finest competitors, along with some newcomers, will be showcasing their skills on the day, with prizes up for grabs in 12 classes — namely ladies’ class, senior tractor, U28, U21, reversible, single furrow vintage, two furrow vintage, three furrow, junior class, novice, beginners and horse class.
In addition to the ploughing competition itself, this year’s event once again promises a host of other attractions, including outings by the Kerry Ride and Drive Club and the Crotta Leisure Cyclists, both of whom will begin in the village about 1pm.
Other displays and exhibitions include threshing with Michael Mckenna. modern and vintage machinery displays, wood turning, sheep display, North Kerry Together agri info and country market, Macra farm tasks, music with Sonny Egan and friends, bouncy castle and a dog show which gets underway at 3pm.
Other events and demonstrations taking place in the marquee will be Muckross Farm butter-making display, Kerry beekeepers, , Abbeydorney Pharmacy health care advice, Southern Scientific water and soil analysis, ITT Agri Engineering Dept, ICA cookery demonstration, IFA information, antique exhibition, Teagasc Health and Safety, hospitality by Eileen Mccarthy and family and the school children’s art competition.
Organisers will also be on the lookout for the most appropriately dressed lady and gent on the day, who will walk away with a watch courtesy of Billy Nolan jewellers and a €100 voucher from Horgan’s Deli and Ballyseedy Outdoor Living respectively.
A gate prize of a €100 voucher from Kingdom installations will also be up for grabs, with profits from the charity collection going to the Hospice. Visitors can also enjoy music on the field will be provided by local musicians.