Archives

In this section of the website we will add details of events, training programmes, publications and other initiatives that have received support through Rural Development Programmes in the Cavan-Monaghan region over the years.

LEADER Craft and Food Village at the National Ploughing Championships

In 2003 the Cavan – Monaghan rural development LEADER organisation was instrumental in organising the first LEADER craft and food village at the National Ploughing Championships which were held in Ballinabrackey, Co. Meath.

Twenty five handcraft and food producers took part in this pilot initiative in 2003 which brought together a number of LEADER organisations from around Ireland to cooperate on this event. The following year Cavan - Monaghan organised a similar event at the National Ploughing Championship in Tullow, Co. Carlow (2004). This time the number of participants had increased to 50. By 2005 the numbers wishing to take part had increased to a point where it became necessary to divide the event in to two ‘villages’, one catering for craft and one catering for food.

The support through the LEADER programme has facilitated small craft and food producers from the Cavan-Monaghan region and throughout Ireland to promote and sell their produce directly to consumers at the biggest rural based showcase event in Ireland. It would be cost prohibitive for small rural based craft and food producers to participate in event of this nature without the support of LEADER National Rural Development Programme.

The LEADER craft and food village project has continued to grow and attracting in excess of 150,000 people each year and remains as the leading rural event held in Ireland with 185,000 visitors in 2009.

Contact Cavan-Monaghan LEADER for more information on archives