THE VIRGINIA PUMPKIN Festival in Cavan was held over the weekend, with this 88.5 stone (562 kg / 1239 lbs) pumpkin claiming the top prize.

The giant pumpkin was grown by Stephan Eckardt from Germany.

Other top growers were Gerard MacSein from Cornafein, County Cavan whose pumpkin recorded a weight of over 48.5 stone (680lbs).

Second place went to Waterford Farmer Walter Hartrey from and John McDonough from Kilmacthomas with their pumpkin weighing just over 40.5 stone (568 lbs) just one pound ahead of the pumpkin grown by the students of St Lesarians Specials Needs School in Carlow who grew their pumpkin, weighing just over 40 stone(566 lb), in just 3 months.

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