Farmers, Politics, and Ploughing | Belfast News

Seventy-seven thousand fans flooded Screggan for the 95th National Ploughing Championships, where politics and farming collided under sun-dappled skies. President Catherine Connolly opened proceedings with a sobering message on food imports and climate’s toll on farmers, then jetted to Scotland. Taoiseach Micheál Martin dodged questions about his sister’s Trump remarks while pitching the budget and agricultural support. Tánaiste Simon Harris and Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald also made appearances, all eager to be seen before returning to Dublin. Beyond the political theater: welly-throwing, brown bread baking, free haircuts from Movember, and the coveted “machine of the year” award — a full weekend of rural spectacle, deals, and drama. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://www.thejournal.ie/ploughing-championships-2026-7163566-Sep2026/ More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d384f9db1e35cd97 Report issues to [email protected].