National Ploughing Championships

Sheep getting ready to be sheared.

Making new friends.

One of MANY huge tents.

Children's pony riding competition.

Sheep dogs are trained from puppyhood to herd sheep.  Their
masters have different calls to make the dog herd the sheep
in different directions.  The dogs start off by running around
the perimeter of the field and sneaking up behind them.  Then they
ran around the sheep or lay down.   The dog had to herd them
through three different gates and then a pen.  It was very
interesting to watch the dogs.  By: Tessa 

I like the Irish dancing.  And I like the
dresses.  They kicked their legs up
when they danced.  The music
was quick.  There were small, medium
and big kids.  By: Molly

Today was a wet day visiting the Irish National Ploughing Championships.  The enormity of it was a bit overwhelming at times.  Rows and rows of huge tents containing around 1,800 vendors/exhibitors placed in what were a farmer's fields a few short weeks ago.  On the outskirts are acres and acres of fields that farmers from all over the country will demonstrate their plowing skills in hopes of becoming the Irish champion.  The winner then moves on to European competitions.  The weather was wet and chilly, but that didn't stop the estimated 60,000 people from attending.  Among our favorite activities were the sheep dog trials, sheep shearing, the wellie throwing competition, Irish dancing and the animal exhibits.  All the heavy machinery was a hit as well.  Tomorrow we head on back up to Drewstown House for our last 5 days in Ireland.  Can't believe the time is going so quickly!

My favorite thing about the Ploughing was all the
cool, heavy machinery.  This is a New Holland farm
tractor.  All the different tractors were lined up ready
to plough the different fields.  It was really wet today.
By: Clint