A day of ploughing

A large crowd gathered for the Sligo Ploughing Championships 2017 in Streamstown, Ballisodare on Easter Monday.

There were competitors from Sligo and surrounding counties at the event, which sees class winners progress to the All Irelands next September in Tullamore, Offaly.

After a weekend of mixed weather the sun finally made an appearance for the start of the event at 2pm and to the delight of competitors and spectators shone brightly for the rest of the afternoon.

Orla O’Brien, secretary of the Sligo Ploughing Association, said: “It was a great day of sunshine on Easter Monday.

“We had a range of competitors in various categories, such as vintage and conventional tractors, loy diggers and there were two teams of donkeys and horses.

“People came from Longford, Mayo, Donegal and Galway as well as Enniskillen and Down.”

Walter Kivlihan from Lavagh, Ballymote won the confined senior category.

But for the second year running there was no farmerette in the tractor category.

Orla says: “This was disappointing and we are calling on all female farmers to part take in the competition next year for a chance to represent your county at All Ireland level.

“It’s a pity that the women were under represented this year again and we hope to change that going forward,” Orla added.