Did you find what you were looking for?
Find what you were looking for?
Help us improve AI search results by giving your feedback (3-5 mins).
Ministers Calleary and Buttimer look forward to welcoming visitors to their Department’s exhibit at the 2026 National Ploughing Championships
-
From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on:
- Last updated on:
- Focus on opportunities for communities and enterprises in rural areas
- Exhibit to have emphasis on Irish language
- Climbing wall, interactive quizzes, CPR demonstrations, Robotics, coding workshops and mobile library
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht’s marquee at this year’s National Ploughing Championships will demonstrate how Government investment is supporting rural areas, the positive impacts of community supports and the increasing interest in the Irish language. This years' event takes place from 15th –17th September in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
The marquee will also have a lot of interest for families and younger visitors, with a mobile library, coding workshops, life-saving CPR demonstrations, an 8-metre outdoor climbing wall and much more.
Speaking about his Department’s presence at the National Ploughing Championships Minister Calleary said:
“The National Ploughing Championships is a hugely important event for rural Ireland. It is a celebration of community spirit, heritage and pulls together the best in Irish agriculture, enterprise, entrepreneurship, camaraderie and, of course, the absolute elite in ploughing.
“It serves as a great opportunity for me, Minister Buttimer, and our colleagues in the Department to meet some of the people we aim to support.
“There is something for everyone at the Department’s marquee where attendees can learn about how our rural investment programme is revitalising rural areas and how interest in the Irish language is increasing.
“There are also demonstrations, workshops, fun activities for kids, and visitors can meet some of the community groups and social enterprises that are making a real difference across Ireland. I look forward to welcoming you there.”
Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD said:
“For me, and everyone in the Department, this event provides us with a unique opportunity to engage directly with rural communities, community organisations and stakeholders, while promoting priorities in relation to rural development, community supports and the Gaeltacht.
“The event also increases visibility of our programmes and provides an opportunity for me as a Minister to inform the public of the supports and services we deliver.”
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht’s marquee is called - ‘Our Rural Future - Supporting Communities and Our Language’ (Stand 110, Row 5, Block4).
Summary of activities
- Get expert guidance on the range of funding schemes available for rural and community development projects.
- Find out about volunteering and public participation opportunities in your area.
- Hear directly from TidyTowns volunteers about what it takes to make your community bloom.
- Gaeltacht: live storytelling sessions
- Kids can play with amazing robots and learn about technology.
- Our Kids Code
- Guess the area - the map of Ireland competition
- The Ark – creative arts for children
- Interactive Touchscreens & Digital Funding Map
- Meet Department staff and programme experts
- Arts and crafts stations, themed around rural life and Irish culture
- Learn life-saving CPR and how to fit a lifejacket properly
- The History of Placenames in Ireland
- Embrace Ireland’s Outdoors by scaling the eight-metre climbing wall
- Enjoy books, games, and a magician at the mobile library.
For further information visit gov.ie/ploughing
Follow the Department for regular Ploughing updates on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
Notes
The marquee will include stands covering the following areas:
- Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP)
- Community Services Programme
- Volunteering and Public Participation
- Community Funding
- Water Safety Ireland
- Tidy Towns and Rural Funding
- Connectivity (includes Robot demonstrations and coding for kids)
- Gréasán na Gaeilge
- Conradh na Gaeilge
- Údarás na Gaeilge
- Logainmneacha / Placenames
- Social Enterprise showcase
- LEADER Funding
- Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors
- Western Development Commission
- Climbing Wall (external exhibit)
- Mobile Library (external exhibit)