Thousands spent on base for Laois Ploughing monument

A Councillor has demanded to know how much the council has spent on projects related to the Ploughing Championship. 

Speaking at the latest Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District meeting, Cllr Aisling Moran asked how much was being spent on a monument commemorating the World Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska. 

The monument was unveiled at the beginning of the National and World Ploughing Championships last September and a permanent base has now been built by the council. 

Cllr Moran also wanted to know how much the council has spent repairing damage to some drainage pipes in the area which the council said had been caused by temporary fencing during the event. 

Council Senior Executive Engineer Philip McVeigh said the plinth for the monument had cost the council in the region of  €4,500 to construct. He didn’t have any information in relation to the cost of the actual monument. 

“I don’t understand how public money can be used on a private enterprise to put in a monument,” said Cllr Moran. 

Stating that it was taxpayers money, Cllr Moran said “they have to pay for it, that is not on.”

She asked for details of the cost of the monument and repairs to the damaged drainage to be sent to her and to the National Ploughing Association. 

Cllr Padraig Fleming said he didn’t want to get into any discussion about the ploughing but suggested there was a “bigger picture” that needed to be looked at. 

“We have also to remember that the ploughing association brings  approximately €50 million into Laois on a continuous basis,” said Cllr Fleming. 

Cllr PJ Kelly agreed with his council colleague. He told the meeting that the monument was being donated. 

Laois council spending on a ploughing monument questioned

Describing the National Ploughing Association as a “very wealthy organisation”, Cllr Moran said the money is needed elsewhere. She claimed other events would be asked to pay in similar circumstances.

She noted Cllr Ben Brennan had been told there was no money for a project to be carried out in Killeshin at the previous meeting. Cllr Moran said it was taxpayers money and it was needed for projects in the county, not for repairing drainage damaged during an event or for a monument. “I want the bill sent to them and I want to know how much it cost, the piping, the base and the monument,” insisted Cllr Moran. 

“I have a major problem with your comments on the National Ploughing but I am not going to bring it up here today,” Cllr Paschal McEvoy told Cllr Moran.