Photos by Valerie O'Sullivan

Mrs Anna May McHugh, Managing Director and Secretary of National Ploughing Association (and her Daughter Anna Marie McHugh Assistant Managing Director) Killarney to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club.

Mrs Anna May McHugh (right) Managing Director & Secretary of National Ploughing Association (NPA) and her Daughter Anna Marie McHugh Assistant Managing Director (NPA) visited Killarney to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club.

Mrs Anna May McHugh (right) Managing Director & Secretary of National Ploughing Association (NPA) and her Daughter Anna Marie McHugh Assistant Managing Director (NPA) visited Killarney to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club.

Mrs Anna May McHugh (right) Managing Director & Secretary of National Ploughing Association (NPA) and her Daughter Anna Marie McHugh Assistant Managing Director (NPA) visited Killarney to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club.

They took time to reminisce and made a surprise visit to Anne O’Shea and her family in O’Sullivan Place. Anne, whose late husband Paddy, well-known community stalwart, football and hurling champion, and local historian. Paddy had written an inventory of machinery for the World Ploughing Championships when it was held in Killarney in 1954.

Paddy’s meticulous programme included a detailed catalogue with the name of each tractor, the number and signature of each competitor - at that time Paddy worked in Culloty.s Garage in College Street and had a great interest in machinery and cars.

Anne presented the programme to Tom Leslie, Chairman of Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club who in turn presented it to Anna May McHugh, who was secretary of the National Ploughing Association when the world championships were held in Killarney.

It was the first World Ploughing Contest to take place on European soil and the second ever World Ploughing Competition.

Both Anna May and Anne recalled many stories, including the ‘frock’ for ‘Queen of the Plough’ which was purchased in Hilliard’s drapery shop!
Anne O’Shea’s own family were also involved with the historical event. “I remember my parents owned a bar in College Street, my father had the franchise for the bar on the grounds of Killarney House. Because he was a civil servant, he wasn’t supposed to be running a bar. My Mother made the sandwiches, and he washed the glasses (out of sight)”

The McHugh Ladies were ushered to Killarney Race Course, as special guests of honour, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club. The Club has raised thousands of euro for local charities since their establishment in 2013.