Breadwinners - Dublin duo claim national baking crowns and dough

Dublin bakers took home the top prizes at the Senior and Junior National Brown Bread Baking Competitions, which took place on the final day of the 2026 National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore today.

Olivia Nash from Dublin was crowned Ireland's best senior brown bread baker of 2026, with Cara Wall from Dublin being announced as the winner of the junior (12-18-years-old) category of the competition.

Senior winner Nash, a Digital Marketing Executive, is an avid baker and founder of the Loaves by Olivia Instagram account.

With a passion for preventing food waste, the mum of one is known for making sustainably baked treats, such as sourdough discard English muffins and oat chocolate chip cookies.

She says she signed up for the National Brown Bread Competition because her husband insisted her bread was best - and it seems he was right!