Countdown to Ploughing Championships on in earnest

With just over two weeks to go to the staging of one of Europe’s largest outdoor events, preparations at the site in Screggan, Tullamore, are well under way for this year’s National Ploughing Championships.

On Thursday, the national media were treated to an exciting preview of what to expect, as the event was officially launched on the Offaly site.
At the launch, special guests were entertained by local performers from Offaly while prize-winning animals, quality machines, horses and hounds were all on display.

Launching the event, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said: “The Championships not only provides a national stage for showcasing all things agricultural, but also brings together people from all sectors of Irish society both rural and urban, to enjoy three days of country living.'

“It is great to see the phenomenal interest in the Ploughing Championships with countries such as Australia, France, UK, Netherlands, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Germany, Canada and Belgium exhibiting. 

With 281,000 visitors attending last year and over 1,500 stands the Ploughing Championships is one of the market leading Agriculture Trade Fairs worldwide.”

Improving visitor experience is always a priority for the National Ploughing and this year is no exception with NPA piloting a park n ride system for Dublin traffic.

The service will be complimentary and operate frequently each way throughout the 3 days giving visitors the added benefit of a drop off point within a few hundred metres of exhibition arena.
Visitors to this year’s National Ploughing Championships will also have the opportunity to get train transport from around Ireland to travel to Tullamore, where Bus Éireann will operate a shuttle service for the short (5 km) trip to the Screggan site over the days from Tuesday 20th to Thursday 22nd of September.

There will be an array of new exhibitors as well as hundreds of outstanding veteran companies showcasing their products and services in dynamic ways.

The very latest models in agricultural machinery will be on display, quality livestock, a Forestry Village, Food Fayre, an International Business Centre in the Innovation Arena and an extended Local Enterprise Village with over 80 exhibitors as well as National Baking Competitions, garden displays, craft shows and many topical seminars.