Ploughing Countdown: All You Need To Know

The event is taking place in Screggan, Tullamore this week.

The National Ploughing Championships are taking place this week with thousands of people set to descend in Screggan, Tullamore from the 16th to the 18th of September.

All of the favourite attractions are set to return this year such as Fashion Shows, Meggers, Sheep Shearing, Hunter Trials, Fun Fair, Food Fayre, Craft Demonstrations, Pony Games, a cultural programme of local musicians and dance troops, Threshing, Loy Digging and Baking Competitions with celebrities.

There will be agricultural and plant machinery on display, featuring cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment, and a ‘Machine of the Year’ competition.

Visitors will have the chance to admire the quality of animals on display in the livestock section and gain insights into livestock management, genetics, nutrition, and animal healthcare.

There is over 100 entries in the Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association All Ireland Finals, The Shorthorn Calf Competition and the Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition. Multiple breeds of cattle will be on display and 12 sheep breeds can be found in the Tunnell this year.

The Local Enterprise Village will see a record number of diverse businesses in exhibition. Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Business Owners will get the chance to upskill their SMEs in digital tools and AI through a partnership with Google. The Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena is also making a return, showcasing groundbreaking technologies and cutting-edge ideas.

Visitors can also enjoy the new Midlands Flavours, highlighting the very best local producers from Longford, Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath with cookery demonstrations every morning and afternoon.

A key attraction at this year’s National Ploughing Championships will be the National Brown Bread Baking Competition, where eight finalists will compete live for the title of Ireland’s best brown bread baker. All sectors of the food chain are represented from producer to retailer, artisan foods, craft beers, celebrity chefs, cookery competitions and much more. The winner will take home a cash prize of €5,000 plus a NEFF Slide & Hide oven (RRP €2,019)

The ‘Dome’ & ‘Hub’ marquees is returning, creating the largest retail pop-up in the country. 

Weather: 

Tuesday's forecast shows widespread outbreaks of rain, turning heavy at times after approximately 5pm. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees, with moderate to fresh southeasterly winds.

Wednesday will be dry and blustery for most, with isolated showers and sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees with fresh to strong southwest winds.

Thursday will see outbreaks of rain likely to persist for much of the day. Highest temperatures of 15 to 17 degrees with light southwesterly or variable winds.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather is monitoring its progress:

Traffic: 

An Garda Síochána is launching a large-scale policing and traffic operation for the National Ploughing Championships, as over 80,000 attendees daily are expected, with partial closures on the N52 and surrounding local roads.

Gardaí urge non-attendees to avoid the area entirely. Sat-nav use near the site is discouraged due to active diversions. Attendees should follow designated colour-coded routes and view the Traffic Management Plan at www.garda.ie. Live updates will be shared on Garda social media channels and Midlands 103. 

BLUE ROUTE - Traffic from Cork / Munster • Traffic travelling Northbound on the M8 will exit at Junction 6 (Horse & Jockey) and proceed towards Thurles where Gardai will divert traffic along the event route onto Templemore and Roscrea along the N62. At Birr traffic will join the N52 travelling northbound via Kilcormac and Blueball and onto the event site at Screggan, Tullamore. Parking: • Patrons on this route will park in the designated BLUE car parks on the left and right hand side beside the event grounds.

GREY ROUTE - Traffic from South East (Kilkenny) • Traffic travelling from Kilkenny/South East will travel North along the N77 via Durrow and Abbeyleix before arriving at Portlaoise where traffic will be directed left at Junction 17 through Clonminham and onwards to Fairgreen Portlaoise, travelling along the N80 to Mountmellick. At Derryclooney Bridge, Mountmellick traffic will be directed left and onto the R422 through Rosenallis and Clonaslee. At Coolagh Cross traffic will be directed right onto the R421 (Killurin Road). At Killurin Cross traffic will be directed left towards the event site at Screggan, Tullamore and parking beside the event site. Parking: • Patrons on this route will park in the designated GREY Car Parks beside the event grounds at Screggan.

YELLOW ROUTE - Traffic from the South East (Carlow) • Traffic travelling from Carlow and the South East will travel on the N80 towards Portlaoise.  At Bloomfield Roundabout, Portlaoise traffic will be directed right onto Rathbrennan and  onto Junction 16 (M7). Traffic will then turn left to the Heath and left again at the Wheel Inn  pub (sign-posted Portarlington). Traffic will proceed to Kennells Cross and be turned left and  travel towards Mountmellick town. All traffic will be directed through Mountmellick town and  onto Tullamore via Killeigh. Traffic will then proceed to parking beside the event grounds. Parking: • Patrons on this route will park in the designated 'YELLOW Car Parks beside the event  grounds at Screggan.

BROWN ROUTE - Traffic from Limerick, Kerry and Southwest:• Traffic travelling Northbound on the M7 will exit at Junction 26 (Nenagh South) and will  proceed on the N52 towards Borrisokane. In Borrisokane traffic will take the N62 (Signposted  Portumna) and after 5km traffic will turn right onto the R438 to Cloghan. In Cloghan traffic will  turn onto the R357 before being directed to parking beside the event grounds. Parking: • Patrons on this route will park in the designated BROWN Car Parks beside the event  grounds at Screggan.

PURPLE ROUTE - Traffic from Dublin • Traffic from Dublin to use the M4/M6 Westbound to Junction 5 on the M6 (Kilbeggan) and  then onto the N52 towards Tullamore for 4km, where at Durrow turn right onto L2005 (passing GAA Pitch) and travel for 2km, then turn left onto the R420 and travel for 2km to avail of a  shuttle service to the site. Parking: • Patrons on this route will park in the designated PURPLE Car Park .

PINK ROUTE - Traffic from the North• Traffic travelling from the North will travel via Mullingar and onto the N52 towards Tyrellspass. Traffic will be turned right into Tyrellspass Village and on to Kilbeggan Village via R446 (old  N6). Once through Kilbeggan Village turn left for Clara onto the R436. On the approach to  Clara traffic will turn left onto the L2009 before joining the R420 Tullamore to Clara Road.  Traffic will then turn right at Coolnahiley and be directed to parking beside the event grounds. Parking: • Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated PINK Car Parks beside the event  grounds at Screggan.

GREEN ROUTE - Traffic from the West • Traffic travelling from the West will exit M6 motorway at Junction 6 (Horseleap, Clara) and  will be directed towards Moate town. Traffic will then be directed left onto the Ballycumber Road. At Ballycumber traffic will join the R436 (Ballycumber to Clara Road) before turning right on towards Rahan Village. At Rahan Village traffic will be directed onto the L2011 towards the event site and parking. Parking: • Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated GREEN Car Parks on the right hand side of the L2011 just beside the event grounds at Screggan.

ORANGE ROUTE - Traffic from the North • Traffic travelling Westbound along the M7 Motorway will exit at Junction 15 (Cappakeel),  turning right over the Motorway and onto the R445 (Old Dublin Road). At New Inn Roundabout traffic will proceed through Emo Village and onto Kennells Cross where it will turn right and  be directed to Garryhinch Cross and onto Cloneygowan Village. Traffic will then follow the R420 to the event site. Parking: • Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated ORANGE Car Parks.

Politics/Presidential Election:

An Coimisiún Toghcháin will be on site helping visitors register to vote ahead of the presidential election on October 24.
Staff in yellow t-shirts with iPads will guide people through the registration process at Stand 290, Row 13, Block 3.
Activities like a presidential quiz and a "special ploughing election" will run alongside giveaways for registered voters.
This marks the Commission’s first appearance at the Ploughing, part of its nationwide voter information campaign.
The drive has already reached events like Electric Picnic and will visit ATU Mountbellew on October 2.

The presidential candidates will make their presence known at this week’s Championships, using the event as a platform to connect with voters. Candidates are expected to engage with farmers, families, and small business owners, highlighting their commitment to rural Ireland and addressing key issues such as agriculture, climate policy, and regional development. Their attendance at the Ploughing, will be a vital stop on their campaign trail.