Retailer Euronics Ireland has today (Thursday, May 16) been named as the new sponsor of the National Brown Bread Baking Competition 2024.

The final of this year’s competition will take place on September 19 during the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois.

The overall winner of the 2024 competition will take home a cash prize of €5,000, along with a NEFF oven worth over €2,000.

The three selected finalists will all be presented with a €500 Euronics gift card.

The event organised by the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) attracts entries from bakers across the country.

Over 60 locally owned home appliance stores around the country are members of the Euronics Ireland Group.

Darragh Lynch, chief executive of Euronics Ireland said that the retailer is "thrilled" to be sponsoring this "iconic competition".

"Every week up and down the country NEFF ovens are baking delicious loaves of brown bread and we look forward to tasting all the entries," he said.

Anna May McHugh, NPA managing director, said that the NPA are delighted to welcome Euronics to the National Ploughing Championships.

"The first National Brown Bread Baking competition took place at ‘Ploughing’ in 1954 and it is wonderful to see that the competition is still as popular now as it was then," she said.

All entrants (one entry per person) are being asked to drop their freshly baked bread to one of the following Euronics stores on selected dates between 9:00a.m – 11:00a.m only:

Friday, July 19

TJ O’Mahony Prosperous, 3 Lime Drive, Ladytown , Naas, Co. Kildare, W91P682;
Grange Baldoyle, Unit 48G, Baldoyle Ind Est, Baldoyle, Co. Dublin, D13 KR76;
Mastercare, 164 Howth Road, Clontarf West, Killester, D03 V820;
Heavins, A1& A2 Shannon Retail Park, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 E76.

Friday, July 26

Bandon Co-Op, Kilbrogan, Bandon, Co Cork, P72 X275;
Jack Fitzgerald Electrical, Howley’s Quay, Lower Shannon Street, Co. Limerick, V94 W295;
Joyce & Sons, Galway Road, Cuilleen, Headford, Co. Galway, H91 A9X7.

Friday, August 2

Redmond Electric, Unit 6, WFC Retail Park, The Avenue, Gorey, Co Wexford, Y25 K773;
Keans Claremorris, Mount Street, Clare, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, F12 Y642;
Brodericks Westport, 5 Castlebar Road, Westport, Co. Mayo ;
Harrys Electrical, 2 Moynehall Retail Park, Ballinagh Road, Co. Cavan, H12 HP64.

Entrants are advised that bread will not be accepted in stores outside of the designated dates and times.

All successful entrants will be contacted on August 12 to attend the finals.

Two semi-finals will then take place on September 17 and 18, with the final on the afternoon of the September 19 at the National Ploughing Championships.

Further information on how to enter, along with the full terms, conditions and competition rules are available on the ICA website.

In March, supermarket group Aldi confirmed that it had decided not to renew its sponsorship with the NPA marking its departure from the national event after a 13-year run.