IRELAND NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS, WICKLOW MOUNTAINS & AVOCA

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The National Ploughing Championships is one of Europe's largest outdoor exhibition and agricultural trade show. The National Ploughing Championships are to return to Ratheniska, County Laois in 2024.

Widely referred to as “the Ploughing Match” or simply “the Ploughing” this is rural Ireland’s biggest annual event by far.

Nominally a contest pitting the skills of international ploughmen against each other it is also a massive trade show. The National Championships is now no longer just for ploughing or machinery enthusiasts, the modern event now features something for just about everyone. These include a Tented Trade Village, a Food Fair, Craft Village, Livestock, Forestry, Education, Lifestyle, Motor Show, Financial Services, Bio Energy and Agri Service. Along with this, there are many entertainment and special events taking place.

On this tour we have also included a full day excursion to the Wicklow Mountains, with their domed granite peaks, deep glens and wooded valleys, you’ll see some of the finest countryside in Ireland.

Admission to the National Ploughing Championships NOT included.

Single Supplement £200

Tours in this Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Holyhead for the 09.00 ferry crossing to Dublin. Upon arrival we disembark the ferry and travel to central Dublin where you can enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Afterwards we continue to our hotel nestled at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains for a 4-night stay.

Day 2&3: Get your wellies ready!! After breakfast we journey to Ratheniska, County Laois for The National Ploughing Championships (admission extra). All Ireland is there, and they are not deterred by rain or hail, coming in their tens of thousands whatever the weather. The event not only attracts the farming community but also a huge cross-section of people including overseas visitors, it really does have something for everyone.

The ploughing competitions themselves are fascinating to watch, with an incredible level of skill in evidence as competitors vie to impress the judges with the straightness and perfection of their furrows. The horse-drawn plough classes draw huge crowds to enjoy the now rare site of massive powerful horses working happily and in harmony with their owners.

Day 4: Today we embark on a full day tour of the spectacular Wicklow Mountains. Visit the town of ‘Ballykissangel’ fame, Avoca. Stand on the Lion Bridge, where the rivers Avonmore and Avonbeg converge, to take in the view which inspired the poet Tom Moore to write his famous song, ‘The Meeting of the Waters’.

Day 5: After breakfast we travel to Dublin city centre where there will be some free time before our 14.50 return sailing to Holyhead.

Hotel

The Parkview Hotel, Newtonmountkennedy***

The Parkview Hotel is positioned between the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea in the town of Newtownmountkennedy. This sophisticated hotel offers a bistro and spacious bedrooms with large marble bathrooms.

The light and airy rooms at the Parkview have large plasma-screen TVs and work desks. Many rooms boast mountain or park views and there is a room service menu available. Fridges are available on request.

Margo's Restaurant serves fine food whilst Nanny Kelly's Bar & Lounge has a relaxing atmosphere and a wide range of drinks. WiFi is available throughout the Hotel.

Includes

4 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Return Ferry Crossing Holyhead to Dublin