It's the Electric Picnic for farmers but with more animals.
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The Ploughing Championships is upon us once again. This is the third year that Screggan, Tullamore, Co.Offaly is home to the Ploughing, with over 300,000 people expected to descend on Offaly for the three day event.
Launching the event, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said:
"The Ploughing Championships not only provides a national stage to showcase all that is great about Ireland, but also internationally. As it is fantastic to see the phenomenal global interest in the event with countries such as Australia, France, USA, Denmark, UK, Netherlands, New Zealand, Hungary, Uganda, Czech Republic, Germany, Canada and Belgium attending. With 291,500 visitors attending last year and over 1,700 stands the Ploughing Championships is one of the market leading Agriculture Trade Fairs worldwide."
Dave Duke from The Hub on iRadio spoke to Anna May McHugh about how the event is organised, how stressful it is, and how do you describe the Ploughing to a tourist passing by the event:
Tickets
- Tickets can be purchased upon arrival to the event (Gates Open 9pm)
- Adult Admission is €20 per person
- Senior Citizen/ Student is €15
- Under 12’s go free when accompanied by an adult
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Weather And Fashion
Wet and Wellies!
Keep an eye on the Met Eireann website for updates but this is Ireland in September, so it will almost certainly rain at some point and with 'disturbed' weather expected as a result of Hurricane Helene, wellies, wet gear and a spare coat are essential.
Getting There
An Garda Síochána have issued some key pieces of advice for getting to the Ploughing.
If you can take the train do – Tullamore Train Station is 10 minutes from the site and a shuttle bus
will drop you at the entrance gate.
Shuttle Bus fees; €5 Children return ticket (under 16)
€9 Adult return ticket
€20 Family return ticket (2 adults & max. 3 children)
If you are driving to the event, you are advised to factor in at least double the normal journey time
due to heavy volumes of traffic.
If you have a vehicle pass make sure it is clearly displayed on the front windscreen of your vehicle as
vehicles not displaying passes clearly may be directed into outer car parks.
Follow directional signage to the venue – do not use GPS.
Note the colour of the over-head flying blimp and the number/colour /animal sign in your car park
on entry in order to find it easily on exit.
Routes
The AA has made this very handy video explaining the colour co-ordinated routes that have been put together for motorists.
Note the route you will be taking as An Garda Síochána are advising that you do not use GPS.
MAPS
A map of the site is available on the NPA Website
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Credits - AA Roadwatch - An Garda Siochanna - NPA.ie
