People & technology · News English
Old skills meet new technology at Ireland’s farming show
Ireland’s National Ploughing Championships close after three days of farming, competition and new ideas.
Read the story, then try the activities.
A meeting of old and new
Read for this question: what different sides of farming could visitors see?
1Ireland’s National Ploughing Championships ended on 17 September after three days in Screggan, near Tullamore. The organiser, the National Ploughing Association, reported total attendance of 243,000 across the event, including 75,000 on its final day.
2Visitors could see traditional skills beside modern machines. Euronews reported that horses pulled ploughs while old tractors appeared alongside newer equipment. Experienced farmers also demonstrated a traditional way of digging the soil by hand. At the same time, the show included drones, robots and tractors that can operate automatically.
3Although farming was at the centre of the event, there were other activities too. According to the organiser, visitors enjoyed cooking and machinery demonstrations, fashion shows, animals and live entertainment. A national brown bread competition also reached its final stage. The programme gave visitors several ways to explore rural life.
4The organiser also announced the location of next year’s championships: Boherkill Farm in Rathangan, County Kildare. This year’s event was the 95th edition. The reports describe an occasion where practical skills and new equipment shared the same space, with competitions and demonstrations giving visitors plenty to watch.
This is an original, simplified account of real reporting. The discussion and language examples below are learning activities, not additional news claims.
Word help · Three useful words
Read the meanings and examples. Choose one word to use in your own sentence.
traditional
following ways of doing things that have existed for a long time
My family makes bread using a traditional recipe.
equipment
the tools or machines needed for an activity
We checked the camping equipment before our trip.
demonstration
an occasion when someone shows how something works or how to do it
The teacher gave a short demonstration of the new app.
Check your reading · Three questions
Choose one answer for every question, then check. You can change an answer and check again.
Useful English: although
Although introduces a contrast: something is true, but another fact may be surprising.
Although + subject + verb, main clause.
Although my phone is old, it works well.
You can reverse the order: “My phone works well although it is old.” Use a comma when the although clause comes first. Do not add but after that comma.
The phone sentence is a language example.
Complete this sentence aloud: “Although ___ is old, ___.”
See a model and follow-up
Although my bicycle is old, I use it every day.
Solo: say another true sentence about your life. Tutor: ask “Why do you still use it?”
Speak about the story · Your view
What older skill is worth keeping?
Speak for 45 seconds. Name a skill, give a reason and add one example from your life. Try to use although.
Start here: “I think we should keep… because… Although…”
Open a model response
I think we should keep learning to cook from basic ingredients because it gives us more choices. Although ready-made meals are convenient, I enjoy making soup with my family. For me, the time we spend together is as valuable as the food.
This is a fictional model answer for language practice, not a quotation from a person in the news.
Solo follow-up: repeat your answer with a clearer reason. Tutor follow-up: “How could technology help you learn that skill?”
Mastery check · Three questions
Choose one answer for every question, then check. You can change an answer and check again.
Sources and reporting date
Reporting checked on 17 September 2026. Euronews published its report at 18:11 GMT+2 (11:11 Bogotá), verified against its publication metadata. The organiser’s closing-day report is dated 17 September. Both were published today. Facts are attributed below; learning examples are separate from the news.
- Euronews: traditional skills and new machines at Ireland’s show
Published 17 September 2026, 18:11 GMT+2. Source for the contrast between traditional techniques and modern machines. - National Ploughing Association: the event’s final day
Published 17 September 2026. The organiser confirms attendance, activities, the closing date and next year’s location.