The Ploughing Trade Exhibition will not go ahead this year for the second year in a row.

The event normally draws a crowd of about 300,000 people and was due to take place in Ratheniska, Co Laois, in September.

But the organisers say it’s been cancelled because of uncertainty about what Covid restrictions will be in place at that point.

The national competitions aspect of the event will still go ahead – possibly with some visitors.

Assistant managing director, Anna Marie McHugh, says they had no choice but to cancel the trade exhibition.

The trade exhibition element of the National Ploughing Championships has been cancelled for the second year in a row, “given the lack of clarity about what Covid-19 restrictions and regulations will look like in September for outdoor events”. Up to 1700 exhibitors usually attend

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) May 14, 2021