Hundreds set to attend All-Ireland Tractor Pulling finals in Glenamaddy
Pictured at the recent launch of the Glenamaddy District Ploughing and Agricultural Show were back row: Deputy Peter Roche, Eugene Morgan (assistant treasurer), Andrew Reddington (Cathaoirleach Galway County Council), Councillor Peter Keaveney, and Rob Pridding (vice-chairperson). Front: Niamh Morgan (treasurer), Padraig Collins (chairperson), Lisa Kelly (secretary), Aisling Lavelle (PRO).
The Glenamaddy and District Ploughing and Agricultural Show will get underway today Sunday, October 4th at the Equestrian Centre in the town.
Last year saw over 15,000 attend, making it the most successful to date with visitors coming from all over the world to the North East Galway town.
This year sees the return of the All-Ireland Tractor Pulling finals, which attracted an incredible crowd last year.
Another event also captured the imagination of the public not just in Glenamaddy but around the country last year and the organisers confirmed that it will happen again this year. Pa McHugh went within moments of breaking the world record for ploughing an acre of land and it has been confirmed that he is going to attempt it again today.
The record for ploughing an acre, according to the Guinness Book of Records, still stands at 9 minutes, 49.88 seconds set by Joe Langcake at Hornby Hall in Cumbria using a Case IH 7140 Magnum tractor and a Kverneland four-furrow plough. During his attempt last year Pa McHugh was just 44 seconds off the record and an four minutes faster than his previous attempt a year earlier.
Speaking at the recent launch in the Oakland Hotel, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council Andrew Reddington commended the committee for its hard work and wished the group well in its endeavours while local councillor Peter Keaveney noted that this show will have something for everyone.
The committee was also delighted that Deputy Pete Roche was there to join in the launch, and he also congratulated the committee and wished the group well on October 4th.
Work on the 2026 show began as soon as the gates closed on the Sunday evening last year. This year’s programme of events was unveiled by chairman of the show committee Padraig Collins who explained that along with the traditional and well received livestock and sheep shows, there are new additions including the speakers’ tent that will feature speakers sharing advice, practical tips and expert insights on everything from farming and gardening to sustainability, rural life and much more.
Another new addition this year is the household/garden sections that will display the best in produce from home and further afield.
Also back by popular demand are the helicopter rides that had long queues forming throughout the day last year, but it must also be noted that this is also weather permitting, a dedicated children’s play zone that will feature Ireland’s largest inflatable slide, vintage cars, machinery and tractors on display and music fans will not be left wanting either with the return of Gerry Guthrie along with the ever popular Stuart Moyles and the legendary “JCB Man” Seamus Moore.
