Senior and Junior Brown Bread Baking Champions crowned at the National Ploughing Championships
The senior and junior National Brown Bread Baking Competition winners have been announced today at the National Ploughing Championships.
Olivia Nash from Dublin was crowned as Ireland's best senior brown bread baker of 2026, with Cara Wall from Dublin being announced as the winner of the junior category of the National Brown Bread Baking Competition, which is sponsored by Euronics and in association with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and the Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA).
Speaking about her win, Olivia said “I thought my husband was lying that my bread was nice but I’m really happy to learn he’s been telling the truth the past few years and I’m delighted to have won!".
Cara said "I’m delighted to win and I’m glad that I got to use my grandmothers recipe. My school will also love the voucher!".
The senior and junior competition finals were held today (17th September) in the National Brown Bread Baking Competition tent at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, where Olivia and Cara both rose to the challenge and emerged victorious.
Cara was commended by judge Eileen Brennan, (winner of the competition in 1973) "Cara's bread came out on top as it was very appealing to the eye and had all the elements we were looking for. The flavour and smell were lovely, and the crust was quite soft on it which makes a difference. Overall, the standard for the junior competition was so high and we needed a full half hour to come to a conclusion, but we came to a unanimous decision that Cara's was the winning loaf".
Speaking on Olivia’s bread, judge Eleanor Martin said "It had a fantastic appearance. Lovely balanced flavour and it cut beautifully. It was the kind of bread you’d want to put in a bag and take home!".
Olivia won €5,000 in cash along with a NEFF Slide & Hide oven worth over €2,000, with the three other finalists, Therese Lonergan from Westmeath, Ann Loftus from Mayo and Sarah Davitt from Mayo, receiving a €500 Euronics gift card and a goody bag.
Cara took home a €1,500 Euronics voucher, with an additional €1,500 Euronics voucher awarded to her school. The three finalists, Callum McKeague from Donegal, Aoife Ruddock from Leitrim and Lucy Tate from Cork all received a €300 Euronics gift card and a goody bag.
Slán go fóill.
