Latest news with #NationalPloughingChampionship
Agriland
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Agriland
Over €18,000 raised by Roscommon farmer's Shannon swim
A farmer from Co. Roscommon has raised €18,000 by completing a 230km swim of the River Shannon. Paul Little, who is from a suckler and sheep farming background in Co. Roscommon, won the 'Ireland's Fittest Farmer' competition at last year's National Ploughing Championship. He proved he is well worth that title, after swimming from Dowra, Co. Cavan to Limerick city over the course of seven days. He started out on August 10, and finished at Curraghgour Boat Club in Limerick yesterday (Sunday, August 17), where his family, friends and supporters were waiting. A Facebook page - Paul's Shannon Swim 2025 - was set up so those interested in Paul's mammoth swim could keep a track of his progress. Throughout the swim, Paul was assisted by family and friends who travelling by boat and kayaks. They helped him navigate the river and lakes he swam through, as well as keeping him supplied with food and water. The swim was in aid of North West STOP-Suicide Prevention, which is a community-based, voluntary charity that was founded in 2004 by families who had lost loved ones to suicide. Its primary aim is to prevent suicide by providing accessible, free, confidential counselling services. A fundraising target of €2,500 was set. However, that figure, although significant itself, has been exceeded almost nine times over, with some €18,000 raised so far, and donations continuing to come in as of today (Monday, August 18). A link to the fundraiser page can be found on Paul's Shannon Swim 2025 Facebook page. In a video posted to the Facebook page before he set out on the swim, Paul explained what motivated him to do it. He said: "Anyone who knows me knows I love a challenge. I have always been very active and I also have a big connection to the water. "I grew up beside Cavetown Lake where I spent many of my younger days fishing, swimming and kayaking. I met my now wife 14 years ago in Carrick Rowing Club on the Shannon, as well as many other lifelong friends. "Swimming the Shannon will be a dream come through for me. As well as that, though, I want to raise awareness for mental health and raise as much money as I can for an incredible charity," he added. "I have teamed up with North West Stop-Suicide Prevention, a charity close to many people's hearts. It is a charity based in the north-west of Ireland that supports anyone who needs it," Paul said.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Drivers warned of month-long nightly closures on major Tipperary road
Tipperary County Council plan to close both the on and off ramps at Junction 23 on the M7 motorway at Moneygall from 7pm to 6am each night between Monday, September 8, and Saturday, October 4 — except during the National Ploughing Championship (September 14–20). The road will reopen at 6am each morning throughout the duration of the nightly closure. The council said the closure is needed in order to facilitate pavement works at M7 J23 Roundabout with the R445 at the entrance to Barack Obama Plaza. Alternative routes will be in use, with motorists able to use the slip ways on and off at Junctions 22 or 24 to exit or rejoin the motorway for the duration of the works.
Agriland
31-07-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Certa renews fuel sponsorship for Ploughing Championships
The National Ploughing Association (NPA) has confirmed that Certa are again the official fuel sponsor for this year's National Ploughing Championships. Certa will supply all of the event fuel requirements for the three-day event which takes place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly from September 16-18. This will include fuelling all the generators for powering the site and the lighting towers from the main site. Speaking ahead of this year's National Ploughing Championship, Anna May McHugh NPA aanaging director expressed her enthusiasm for the continued partnership. 'We're delighted to welcome Certa back as our official fuel partner for Ploughing 2025. "It's fantastic to have their support again, particularly with the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a sustainable diesel that aligns with our commitment to greener practices," she said. Certa added that it is delighted to be the official fuel supplier for one of Europe's largest outdoor agricultural events. 'With its blend of tradition, skill, innovation and community, the National Ploughing Championship is a celebration of Ireland's rural heart. "As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, we're helping to reduce its carbon footprint through the use of HVO. This renewable fuel helps to cut carbon emissions by up to 90%," Orla Stevens, Certa managing director, said. Throughout the event, Certa will also be showcasing a range of energy solutions for customers, including solar, HVO, lubricants, and other liquid fuels.
RTÉ News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Efforts to register younger voters at Electric Picnic, ploughing championships
Efforts to get young people to register to vote ahead of October's presidential election will extend to the Electric Picnic music festival, the National Ploughing Championships and college campuses in the coming months. An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland's electoral commission, in partnership with Electric Picnic announced they will have a presence at this year's music festival, where they will encourage young people to register to vote. A study of voting in last year's General Elections found that those aged 18–34 who were surveyed made up the biggest cohort of eligible voters - at 68% - who weren't registered to vote. Electric Picnic, taking place in Co Laois at the end of August, provides an opportunity for the electoral commission to engage with young people, according to Chief Executive Art O'Leary. "We need to do much more to encourage young people to register and to get out and vote," he said. "Many of the latest generation of would-be voters will lose their voices singing along over Electric Picnic weekend, but it's so important that they don't lose their voice as we go to the polls to choose who will succeed Michael D Higgins as our next President," he added. The presidential election to decide who will succeed President Higgins will take place in late October, with the next president expected to be inaugurated on 11 November, when his term comes to an end. Electric Picnic attracts around 80,000 attendees every year and the commission's team at the event will be running mock elections, voting competitions, and encouraging festival goers to get registered at The event in Stradbally will be the first in a number of efforts to encourage young people to register to vote. The commission will also have a presence at the National Ploughing Championship in September. That event normally attracts 300,000 attendees and will be held this year in Screggan, Co Offaly. Later in September, the commission will be present on college campuses as students begin returning to college.
