'I'd wear high heels if I still could' - Anna May McHugh says leave wellies at home

Swap your wellies for sunnies this week at the National Ploughing Championships in Laois, which could see record crowds given the surprise balmy summer weather.

However it's the last year after a four year run for Laois to host the massive event which organisers say has an economic impact of over €60m. 

Temperatures will hit above 21 degrees all week, and ploughing MD and Laois legendary businesswoman Anna May McHugh, aged 90, is delighted, speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live on Monday.

“We certainly have the weather on our side this year, it’s wonderful for patrons, organisers, everyone is in good humour and high spirits. It’s easier to run, all is ready to go now, our carparks are easier for the stewards.

“Leave the wellies at home, I’d nearly wear high heels myself if I still could,” she added.

“We have 351 competitors in 24 classes in ploughing and we are hosting the European Vintage with a big vintage exhibition area too. For outdoor areas, for everybody, the good weather makes it easier in all sections,” she said.

It is the last of a four year run for the championships to be in her home county, as she confirms that next year’s undisclosed venue is “a work in progress”.

“I’m very proud it’s in Laois, I’m a Laois person though I’m only two miles from the Kildare border. I grew up on a Laois farm and married a Laois farmer.

“It will not be in Ratheniska next year, that’s for definite. It has been there for four years, and the patience the community have had is great, we are an inconvenience, we accept that but they worked along with us. I am so delighted that the weather is good this year, it’s so important for the landowners, it’s their land, all the site neighbours are so good to us,” she said. 

It will be her proud duty again on Tuesday to welcome President of Ireland Michael D Higgins to officially open the ploughing at noon, with Shanahoe School Marching Band playing for him. 

She will also welcome Taoiseach Simon Harris on Tuesday.

“The way things are with politics at the moment, I’m sure every politician in the country will be there,” Anna May noted.

“I remember this event being very small, now there are so many activities, fashion shows, livestock, the Laois Local Enterprise village is massive, it’s a great shop window so I hope people call in and it is well supported. I thank the FBD for their armbands for children. We have national and international buyers. People come from overseas to it. It’s lovely to be able to sell your county in the heart of rural Ireland. I’m delighted and so are all the directors. 

“I try to get around the site. My wish is that when it’s all over, that there was no major accident and no-one was hurt. I hope that people bring home happy memories of Laois and of the ploughing,” she said.

The 2024 National Ploughing Championships open the gates at 9am on Tuesday morning, with up to 300,000 visitors expected over the three days.  

It will include 1,700 trade stands, daily fashion shows and prizes for Best Dressed, the Euronics national Brown Bread competition, Welly Throwing in aid of Laois charities, live music and dancing, céilidh with Laois teacher Maureen Culliton and Irish Dancing by the Lynam School dancers.

Tickets are €25 online at www.npa.ie or €30 at gate, with discounts for groups, OAPs and students while accompanied children under 12 go free.