J.J Bergin a founder of The National Ploughing Championship is confident for the future of the event.
John James Bergin, known as J.J, was Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, and one of the founders of the organisation. Tribute was paid to him following his death on 13 March 1958 in an episode of Provincial News Round up.
Seen as one of the greatest figures in Irish agriculture, J.J. Bergin, from Athy, County Kildare, along with his friend Denis Allen, founded the National Ploughing Association in 1931. The first National Ploughing Championship took place in Athy in February of that same year.
Speaking to reporter Kevin O'Kelly at the 1958 National Ploughing Championship in Tramore, County Waterford, J.J. Bergin spoke about his confidence in the the future of the championships, declaring they were never more necessary.
A man who can adjust and handle a plough will invariably handle and adjust any other machine.
He spoke of what the National Ploughing Championship event has become.
It is now an annual reunion between all sorts of farming classes and rural people and industrialists and commercial men.
Broadcaster Fred Desmond remembers the belief J.J. Bergin had in Irish farming, and his commitment to the idea that,
Irish farming was dynamic, developing and progressing more and more each year
He cites J.J. Bergin's idea of inviting girls to compete in the National Championship as typical of his belief in young people.
The episode of 'Provincial News Round Up' was broadcast on 16 March 1958. It was presented by P.P O'Reilly and the reporters are Kevin O'Kelly and Fred Desmond.
Provincial News Round Up, was a weekly review of events in the 32 counties edited and presented by Karl Jones.
This series is one of many recordings of interest to be found in the collection of acetate discs held by RTÉ Archives. The RTÉ Archives Acetate Disc Collection contains audio recordings made between the late 1930s and the early 1970s and is the earliest audio format held by RTÉ. The collection reflects a fascinating audio account of Irish society over the time period covered, and provides a unique insight into the arts, social and political discourse of the time.
