This week, the long-anticipated Ploughing Championships kicked off.
The past few days have seen everyone and their da take to Offaly to take in some culture, eat some local foods and, most importantly, plough some field.
Today is the festival’s last day so, naturally, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar decided to make an appearance.
There he is there now all decked out in his wellies and anorak, the latter of which was graciously provided by the Irish Coast Guard.
(The Department of the Taoiseach did not respond to any requests regarding the significance of this anorak.)
Thumbs nestled firmly in his pockets and a look of mild determination on his face, Leo seemed bemused by the sight of the contraption before him.
We can only hope and pray that getting up early in the morning gave him the strength to figure out what on earth he was supposed to be doing.
Thankfully, the Taoiseach got to grips with it eventually.
He may be a private school boy, but the Dubliner really gave it everything he had and appeared to be right at home during this year’s championships.
After some hard labour, the Taoiseach decided to meet the locals.
They appeared slightly suspicious of his young and hip demeanour.
The horse was absolutely not impressed.
Leo was then pictured meeting a young boy. The pair appeared at ease as they were surrounded by other ploughing revellers.
If we didn’t know it was him, we would almost miss Leo in the crowd.
He is almost unrecognisable in that anorak, after all.
A fabulous end to a fabulous Ploughing Championships, no doubt.
The rain may have dampened everyone’s spirits for a while there, but behind the clouds was just enough sunshine to keep everybody smiling.
We trust that Leo’s wellies meant his novelty socks didn’t get wet too.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
