Agritech in Midlands wins at Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena Awards 2023


Biodegradable polymers for mineral bolus systems from PolyBo, and Methane measurement technology from Agri Data Analytics were two innovative Midlands Agritech winners at this year’s Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena Awards. The winners of the Innovation Arena competition, hosted by Enterprise Ireland in association with the National Ploughing Association, were announced at an awards ceremony attended […]
Are ya Ploughing?


66,250 people attended Day One of the 2023 National Ploughing Championships. Let’s take a look at highlights for Wesdnesday and Thursday. With heavy rain yesterday, the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins said, “I must say you are all surviving very well as loyal supporters of the Ploughing!” The 82 year old President pointed out […]
Top 10 Events for Culture Night in the Midlands


The theme for Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is One Night for All-Oíche Dár Saol. Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir on Septmeber 22nd is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and […]
Rothar Rogues from Durrow, Laois


“Rothar Rogues are a mens shed on wheels,” according to founding member Hughie Shepherd. ‘Mary’s Kitchen’ in Ballyragget is a meeting point and pit stop for Laois’ Rothar Rogues. Drinking tea and eating cake is certainly an important part of the daily routine for it’s members. Hughie tells me with a laugh, they are a […]
Klaaskickz, Mullingar leaps into success


“50% of Primary School Kids in Ireland, can’t kick a ball correctly.” (Belton, 2020) What are Klaaskickz colour coded boots? A Mullingar based company ‘Klaaskickz’ has created and developed colour-coded football boots to help children under 10 to learn the basics of kicking through colours and development of the fundamental movement skills. Klaaskickz is named […]
Local Enterprise Village showcases Midlands Companies at the Ploughing Championships


Spotlight on Four Midlands Businesses at the Local Enterprise Village Year on year, the Local Enterprise Village proves to be one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Ploughing Championships. This year, over 30 small businesses from across the country will get an opportunity to sell and promote themselves to crowds of almost 300,000 […]
National Ploughing Championships, the Statistics


The National Ploughing Championships has grown to be Europe’s largest outdoor agricultural trade expo, with approximately 300,000 attendees over three days. We are taking a look at the statistics behind the larger than life event which runs next week from September 19th to 21st. From 25 to 1,700 stands “There were 25 stands at that […]
Accelerate Green 2024 now open for green innovators


Sustainability Entrepreneurs in the Midlands encouraged to apply for the 2024 Accelerate Green executive accelerator programme from Bord na Móna. Leading Executive Accelerator programme for Green Business Applications are now open until November 10th 2023, for companies to take part in Bord na Móna’s Accelerate Green programme. SMEs in the Midlands looking to scale, start-ups […]
Midlands success with 19 Finalists in the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards 2023


The reputation and quality of Food & Drink from the Midlands region continues to go from strength to strength, with 19 Food and Drink producers from the region named as Finalists in the influential Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards 2023. The Awards are the latest in a string of accolades for Midlands Food and […]
May the force be with Anna May McHugh


As I approach the IPA (Irish Ploughing Association) Headquarters in Ballylinan, County Laois, I realise I am not entering an office but a home. Anna May’ McHugh’s house is of course the home of the Ploughing, only a few kilometres from Ratheniska where the Championships take place. There are scores of people upstairs and down, […]