Louth bakers to vie for Ireland’s best brown bread title

The search for Ireland’s best brown bread is back for 2026, with details of this year’s National Brown Bread Baking Competition, sponsored by Euronics Ireland in association with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA).

Officially launched this week at Euronics ElectroCity in County Kilkenny, this year sees the addition of a Junior Brown Bread Baking Competition, giving young brown bread bakers aged 12–18 the chance to showcase their skills alongside Ireland’s best home bakers.

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh, said “The National Brown Bread Baking Competition has been a much-loved part of the National Ploughing Championships for generations, and we’re delighted to see it continue to grow each year. 

“I am thrilled that this year we will once again have a junior baking category, encouraging young people to get involved and helping to ensure that Ireland’s proud brown bread baking tradition is carried on by the next generation.”

Sixteen finalists (8 junior and 8 senior) will take to the stage to bake their brown breads in the National Ploughing Championships Brown Bread Baking tent in Screggan, Tullamore, County Offaly, on September 15th and 16th, with the two winners crowned on the 17th of September. The junior baking rounds will take place at 10am each day followed by the senior rounds at 1pm.

The junior category aims to encourage the next generation of bakers to get involved in one of Ireland’s most treasured food traditions, keeping the legacy and Ireland’s brown bread baking tradition alive. The winning young baker will receive a €1,500 Euronics voucher, with an additional €1,500 Euronics voucher awarded to their school. The three finalists on the 17th will win a €250 Euronics voucher and all other finalists will be given a €100 Euronics voucher and a NEFF hamper.

The well-established adult competition will also return this year, once again searching for the country’s best homemade brown bread recipe, whether that includes a special ingredient, enough seeds to feed a flock of birds or a traditional mix. The winning brown bread baker for the adult competition will walk away with a cash prize of €5,000 PLUS a NEFF Slide&Hide®oven worth over €2,000, with three finalists on the 17th winning a €500 Euronics gift card and all other finalists will be given a €250 Euronics voucher and a NEFF hamper. 

Darragh Lynch, CEO of Euronics Ireland said at the launch "We are delighted to once again partner with the National Ploughing Association and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association for this fantastic competition. Brown bread is baked in kitchens right across Ireland every day, and we look forward to discovering some of the country’s best recipes. The standard and volume of entries last year was incredibly high with over 130 loaves collected from every corner of Ireland, and we’re excited to see what bakers, including the next generation in our new junior competition, will bring to the table."

All entrants (one entry per person) are being asked to drop their freshly baked bread to the store below (part of the Euronics group) on the prescribed date(s) between 09.00am – 11.00am. Bread will not be accepted outside of these times. For the senior competition, five bakers will be invited to join the three finalists from the ICA who will be chosen at the national event in An Grianán on Tuesday 28th July 2026.

Mary D’Arcy, ICA National President added “The ICA has a long and proud connection with the National Brown Bread Baking Competition, and our members always look forward to taking part. We were especially delighted to see one of our own members take the top prize last year, which was a fantastic achievement and a real testament to the baking talent within the organisation.”

How to enter:

Louth entrants bake bread at home and drop for tasting and judging at Lally's Euronics, Centery Business Park Marshes Lower, Dundalk on Friday 24th July 09.00am - 11.00am.

Please note, bread has to be clearly labelled with name, address, age, email address and contact number. For junior competitors, the school must also be listed.

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No entries will be taken outside the times and locations specified below. Winning entrants will be contacted in due course. Please note no feedback will be provided to unsuccessful entries.

Maureen Igoe, last year’s winner said of her experience “I’ve been baking for over 50 years but I honestly never expected to win, especially with such an amazing standard of competitors. It was a wonderful experience overall and I’d encourage anyone who enjoys baking to enter this year’s competition - you’ve got nothing to lose!”.

All successful entrants will be contacted on August 11th and invited to attend The National Ploughing Championships Brown Bread Baking Tent.

Visit www.euronics.ie for information on how to enter, full terms, conditions and competition rules.