Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
THE ancient art of ploughing will be back in the spotlight again at the weekend when the recently formed Killarney Ploughing Association holds its a points competition on the grounds of Coffey’s farm in Fossa on Sunday.
The ploughing match will commence at 11.00am and the organisers promise a great day of ploughing, conversation and tea.
This is the second time a points match will be held in the Killarney and South Kerry area since the 1960s. There are now six ploughing associations in Kerry with the stronghold in North Kerry, where Ardfert, Abbeydorney, Ballyheigue, Ballyduff and Causeway keep the tradition alive and Killarney is also making its mark.
“Ploughing is such a wonderful tradition and heritage and the interest is enormous,” said PRO Siobhán Wharton.
There was a strong tradition of ploughing in Killarney and South Kerry area in the 1950s. The incredible local ploughmen excelled in competition, winning six All-Ireland titles and the town also hosted the first world championships in 1954. Killarney also hosted the National Ploughing Championships in 1939 and 1961.
The Association President, Danny O’Leary of Bishop’s Farm, Ballycasheen, was himself a champion at ploughing, winning many titles in the 1960s, and the late Cllr PJ Cronin, a long-serving member of Kerry County Council, was another master ploughman at local and national level.
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