The National Dairy Council has something to please all tastes at this year’s National Ploughing Championships with an exciting programme of events, cooking demos, tastings, education, healthcare experts ……and a few celebrities at our stand over the three days – stand number 397 (block: 3 / row:18)

Looking for Love – at GRÁ ISLAND!

Inspired by the new NDC advertising campaign – Love Irish Dairy – it’s all things romance at our stand on Day 1. Love Island’s Greg O’Shea and RTE’s Marty Morrissey will be bringing Grá Island to the Ploughing with a special dating contest. We will be looking for some eager male and female participants to take part and win some great prizes!

Milk It!

Ever heard of a milk sommelier?! We searched all corners of the planet and found the world’s first Milk Sommelier – Bas de Groot from Holland. De Groot’s conception of milk mirrors what most of us have of wine, believing that terroir matters.  A region’s climate, soil, and surrounding flora will affect the end result we taste. “Milk and wine are both made from living products,” explains de Groot “One is made by soil in the plants. The other is also made by the soil . . . with the cow in between”! Food Writer John McKenna will be chatting to Bas and conducting a special “Milk Tasting”.

Climate College

2019 is the year that has really focused everyone’s mind on the importance of sustainability and climate change. This is crucially important to the agri-food sector and so we have designed our very own Climate College – An interactive maze full of entertainment, activity and education to feed the senses and the imagination. Children can learn about climate change, animal, welfare, Irish Farming’s best practices, sustainability and much more through memorable and fun activities. Soil, grass, water and energy will be a key focus on the journey.

Health Screening

Its all about Health and Nutrition this year with a dedicated health screening area at the stand. We will have three screening areas all manned by expert nurses from Cappagh Hospital in Dublin. Why not get your blood pressure taken at our Healthy Heart centre, check your weight and BMI and check out those tired feet with our special Foot and Welly Clinic and get expert advice from our podiatrists!

Cheese Glorious Cheese!

From gorgeous Gouda to magnificent Milleens – Cheese addicts will be well catered for at our stand this year. Much-loved Irish chef Donal Skehan, will be in attendance to chat to us about his life in LA and to show visitors how to make some of his delicious cheese recipes, produced through his ambassadorship of the European Milk Forum’s “Cheese. Your Way.” Campaign, implemented locally by the National Dairy Council to encourage more Irish consumers to enjoy quality cheese from Europe.

There will also be cheese tastings throughout the three days and a discussion on the history of cheese with Kevin Sheridan and Food Historian Regina Sexton.

Chefs Brigade

We will be joined on Day 2 by the fabulous Clodagh McKenna who will also be cooking up some delicious recipes at our demo area and talking about her role as Food Ambassador for the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. Lilly Higgins will also be cooking up a storm with some delicious dishes in our demo kitchen on Day 3.

Co-op Marketplace

We are delighted to welcome back Arrabawn Dairies, Aurivo “Organic For Us”, Avonmore “Mooju”, Bandon Vale, Carbery Cracker & Dubliner Cheese, Thurles Fresh Milk, Clona Dairy Products and North Cork Creameries showcasing their Cream of Irish Dairy produce with sampling throughout the three days.

For futher information contact:
Cathy Currran, Communications Manager, National Dairy Council
+353 1 290 2518 | pr@ndc.ie