Offaly ploughing awards presented
The exceptionally high standard of ploughing at the 94th National Ploughing Championships in Screggan this year was praised by National Ploughing Association (NPA) Managing Director, Anna May McHugh, at the annual prizegiving banquet in Tullamore this week where six leading ploughing experts from Offaly were the recipients of awards.
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John Bracken is presented with a NPA Perpetual Cup and Silver Medal for Reversible Under 28 by NPA chairman John Deery, Cllr Sean O’Brien, Leas Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council and NPA president Mick Mahon at the Ploughing 2025 awards in Tullamore. Photo by Alf HarveyImage 2 of 5
Diarmuid Bracken is presented with a Bronze Medal for Standard 3 & 4 Furrow Reversible by NPA chairman John Deery, Cllr Sean O’Brien, Leas Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council and NPA president Mick Mahon at the Ploughing 2025 awards in Tullamore. Photo by Alf HarveyImage 3 of 5
Jonathan Murray is presented with the Cantwell Coffee Cup, NPA Trophy and Gold Medal for Junior “A” Conventional by NPA chairman John Deery, Cllr Sean O’Brien, Leas Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council and NPA president Mick Mahon at the Ploughing 2025 awards in Tullamore. Photo by Alf HarveyImage 4 of 5
Richard Casey is presented with a Silver Medal for Under 28 Conventional Junior by NPA chairman John Deery, Cllr Sean O’Brien, Leas Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council and NPA president Mick Mahon at the Ploughing 2025 awards in Tullamore. Photo by Alf HarveyImage 5 of 5
James Mahon is presented with a Silver Medal for Under 21 Conventional Junior by NPA chairman John Deery, Cllr Sean O’Brien, Leas Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council and NPA president Mick Mahon at the Ploughing 2025 awards in Tullamore. Photo by Alf HarveyCharlie Bracken; James Mahon; Richard Casey; Jonathan Murray; Diarmuid Bracken and John Bracken all collected awards in their respective categories for their expertise with the plough at this year's hugely-successful event.
As well as celebrating the local successes, the NPA Gala Banquet in Tullamore was also used as the setting for the announcement that the 95th National Ploughing Championships will once again return to this year's site in Screggan on September 15, 16 and 17, 2026.
Addressing this year's prize winners, Anna May McHugh spoke of how inspiring it is to see “the incredible talent and dedication” from competitors of all ages. With over 350 participants across a wide variety of classes this year, she said the standard was “exceptionally high.”
In congratulating all the winners, and everyone who took part, Anna May McHugh said ploughing remains "at the very heart of the championships, and it is wonderful to see such skill and passion on display."