Listen – Tractor pulling, trucks and threshing at Ossory Show

The latest episode of Agriland’s ‘Around the Shows’ summer podcast series brings us to Ossory Show in Rathdowney, Co. Laois, where rural traditions have been celebrated for well over a century.

Around the Shows introduces listeners to the farmers, exhibitors, competitors and organisers who make agricultural shows such a special day in the rural calendar.

Now in its 128th year, this year’s Ossory Show once again brought together pedigree livestock, machinery displays, trade stands and family entertainment.

You can listen back to the podcast on the Ossory Show via the link below:

Truck show

The vice-chair, Seamus Costigan told Agriland that the Ossory Show has been running since 1898 and continues to evolve while staying true to its agricultural roots.

Among the newer additions is the show’s truck display, which celebrated its 10th year this summer and attracted hauliers from across the country to take part in the competition.

Costigan outlined that the hauliers kicked off the celebrations on the showgrounds early as they hosted a barbecue and a live music session on the evening before the show.

While the truck show has become a firm favourite with attendees, the vice-chair said that Ossory Show has something for everyone to enjoy, from cattle championships and vintage machinery to tractor pulling and tug-of-war.

Belgian Blue

The livestock rings across the showgrounds were once again packed with quality entries, with the Irish Belgian Blue Cattle Society’s All-Ireland Championships taking centre stage.

Among those competing was Mark McDermott from Tullow in Co. Carlow, whose family has been breeding Belgian Blues for almost four decades.

McDermott noted that his family’s Rathlyon herd combines proven bloodlines with newer genetics, producing cattle that stand out for their size, muscling, and feed efficiency.

After securing several rosettes on the day, he praised the quality of all the cattle on display, describing the standard at this year’s championships as “phenomenal”.

Steam threshing

Away from the livestock rings, visitors gathered to watch traditional threshing demonstrations using restored vintage machinery.

Brendan Kerwin, hailing from Shanahoe in Co. Laois, outlined that the display brought together a 1908 Aveling and Porter steam engine alongside a Garvie threshing mill to demonstrate how crops were harvested and processed over a century ago.

Kerwin said that performing these displays allows younger generations to appreciate how farming was carried out before modern machinery transformed the industry.

He also highlighted the community spirit behind the demonstration, with local farmers coming together each year to help out with the harvest.

Tractor pulling

Another crowd favourite was the return of tractor pulling, which has quickly became one of Ossory Show’s biggest attractions.

Southern Ireland Tractor Pulling Club member Ned O’Rourke noted that competitors in their vintage tractors aim to pull a weighted sledge as far as possible, with tractors competing in different weight classes.

Although the exceptionally dry weather conditions in recent weeks meant a full competition could not take place this year, O’Rourke said that spectators still turned out in large numbers to watch the modified machines in action.

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