The National Ploughing Championships takes place this year from Tuesday, September 19th to Thursday, September 21st at Ratheniska, Co. Laois. As has become customary the United Dioceses will have its stand at the show again this year. The location has been changed from last year as the noise of bands was not conducive to a restful atmosphere and the NPA were very helpful in relocating us. We can be found at Block 2 Row 25 Stand 383. I am very grateful to the organising committee who have been working away quietly in the background to make the stand as successful as other years.
The theme for the 3 days this year is HOPE-Helping-how we as a Christian community help those among us and around us; Our story we are and what we believe; Parishes-our parochial groups and unions and where to find us; Environment a rural community we care deeply for the land we farm and live on and examples of how we put our green charter into action.
The usual service of providing tea and coffee and a welcome rest will be on offer and please do come and give us an hour of your time to help when you are visiting the event as the more help we have the more help we can give. There will also be face painting. A treasure hunt for our school students and a place for quiet prayer. The Prayer Tree will also be in the stand and the prayers will be remembered as we will close each day with a short prayer service. Clergy will be at the stand each day and are available to talk to should you wish to. Our Bishop will also be attending on the first day of the 3-day event as episcopal duties preclude him from being there for the 3 days. Our DCO Shane will be attending the 3 day event to capture all the fun if you are there please get in for a picture 
If you would like to volunteer to help run the stand on one or all of the days please contact me at gorey@ferns.anglican.org It takes a lot of work to set up and run the stand and we rely on the kindness of people to make it happen. I look forward to seeing you at the event.
Every good wish, Archdeacon Mark Hayden & the ploughing team. Pictures from over the years at the ploughing.
