The National Ploughing Championships has returned to Offaly.
The National Ploughing Championships is up and running in Offaly.
Over the next three days over 300,000 people are expected on site in Screggan, Tullamore for three days of agriculture, competitions and machinery.
There will be partial road closures in place on the N52 between Tullamore and Birr, while local road closures will also be in place around Mucklagh village.
Gardaí say traffic is moving well now on most routes with only a few delays on the N52 approaching the NPC at Bunaterrin.
The Grey & Blue route car parks are now full and Gardai are moving all traffic to the secondary carparks.
And the Dublin route is slowing down, particularly on the Clara Road approaching Tullamore.
The Assistant Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, Anna Marie McHugh says the site is the perfect spot for this year's event:
Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon says farmers will have a platform today to voice concerns:
Fianna Fail's presidential candidate is describing Offaly as a central part of Ireland economy and an important part of our heritage.
Jim Gavin is in Screggan for this year's National Ploughing Championship where organisers are expecting a bumper crowd of 300 thousand people this week.
The newly minted member of the party will be going up against Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys and Independent candidate Catherine Connolly.
While a host of other independent reps are tilted at a nomination in county councils across the country.
Mr Gavin says he was especially happy to meet autism awareness campaigner Cara Dermody today:
However we won't be seeing a Presidential bid from one of the key figures behind the National Ploughing Association any time soon.
Assistant Managing Director, Anna Marie McHugh is confirming she's not throwing her name forward for a last minute run at the Aras.
Ms McHugh says it will be interesting to see how they get on:
Macra na Feirme will be among the exhibitors over the three days.
Its President, Josephine O'Neill, says it's a brilliant opportunity for young people to experience rural life:
Ireland won't be cutting its overseas aid contributions in Budget 2026.
Minister for International Development Neale Richmond is confirming the news at the National Ploughing Championships in Offaly today.
He believes the aid is an investment in global security in the areas of climate change and energy.
Speaking at the Global Solidarity Hub the Minister says the Ploughing has been a fixture in his life since childhood:
Self Help Africa is based in that same Global Solidarity Hub.
Clara's Ronan Scully works with the charity.
He says the group has more work on their hands than ever before:
Succession is still a key issue that faces young people getting into dairy farming.
That's the view of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, who are one of many farmers bodies at the National Ploughing Championships this week.
The group is also concerned over possible drops to dairy and beef prices, and around current regulations for the sector in Europe.
Chair of the ICMSA's Livestock Committee Michael O'Connell says they need national support:
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