The finalists have been announced for the 2026 Euronics National Brown Bread Baking Competitions, with 16 bakers from across Ireland preparing to compete live at the National Ploughing Championships this September.
Eight senior bakers and eight junior bakers have secured their places in this year's national finals following the judging of more than 130 brown bread entries from around the country.
The finalists will now travel to Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, where they will put their recipes and baking skills to the test at the National Ploughing Championships from 15–17 September 2026.
2026 Senior Brown Bread Baking Finalists
The eight finalists competing for the title of 2026 National Brown Bread Baking Champion are:
- Ann Loftus — Mayo
- Ber Ennis — Westmeath
- Geraldine Maguire — Meath
- John Quinlivan — Limerick
- Michael Ruddock — Leitrim
- Sarah Davitt — Mayo
- Therese Lonergan — Westmeath
- Olivia Nash — Dublin
The senior semi-finals will take place on Tuesday, 15 September and Wednesday, 16 September, before the competition reaches its grand final on Thursday, 17 September.
2026 Junior Brown Bread Baking Finalists
Eight young bakers have also been selected to compete in the Junior National Brown Bread Baking Competition:
- Áine Flood — Dublin
- Aoife Ruddock — Leitrim
- Callum McKeague — Donegal
- Lucia Sweeney — Donegal
- Lucy Tate — Cork
- Rachel Murphy — Limerick
- Sinead Murray — Roscommon
- Cara Wall — Dublin
The junior semi-finals will also take place on 15 and 16 September, with the finalists returning for the grand final on Thursday, 17 September.
A Family Final for the Ruddocks
Among this year's finalists is a particularly special story from County Leitrim.
Father and daughter Michael and Aoife Ruddock, from Ballinamore, have both qualified for the national finals. Michael will compete in the senior competition, while Aoife has secured her place among the eight junior finalists.
The pair will now represent Leitrim on the national stage at the same event, making the 2026 competition a memorable family occasion before a loaf has even gone into the oven.
What's at Stake?
The winner of the Senior National Brown Bread Baking Competition will receive a €5,000 cash prize together with a NEFF Slide&Hide® Oven worth over €2,000.
The winning junior baker will receive a €1,500 Euronics voucher, while their school will also receive a €1,500 Euronics voucher.
Prizes will also be awarded to the other finalists across both competitions.
Celebrating Ireland's Best Home Bakers
The National Brown Bread Baking Competitions are sponsored by Euronics Ireland in association with the National Ploughing Association and the Irish Countrywomen's Association.
The competitions celebrate one of Ireland's best-loved baking traditions while giving both experienced home bakers and the next generation the opportunity to showcase their recipes on a national stage.
"The announcement of the finalists is always one of the most exciting moments in the competition. We had an incredible response from bakers around the country, and we now have 16 fantastic finalists preparing to take to the stage at the National Ploughing Championships. We wish every one of them the very best of luck and look forward to seeing their brown bread being baked live in September."
— Darragh Lynch, CEO of Euronics Ireland
See the Finalists at the National Ploughing Championships
The 2026 Euronics National Brown Bread Baking Competitions will take place from 15–17 September 2026 at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
Visitors will be able to watch the finalists bake live throughout the three-day event, with both the junior and senior champions crowned on Thursday, 17 September.
We would like to congratulate all 16 finalists and wish them the very best of luck in September.
