The traffic plan for the Tullamore Show and AIB National Livestock Show 2017 will be in effect when the event kicks off tomorrow (Sunday, August 13) on the grounds of the Butterfield Estate, Blueball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

The event is billed as Ireland’s largest one-day show, attracting over 60,000 visitors and approximately 20,000 vehicles annually.

The Tullamore Show attracts cattle, sheep and equine breeders from all over the country. It incorporates four national championship finals in livestock showing, as well as cookery, horticulture and arts and crafts – alongside entries for its other 1,000 plus competitions – with a total prize fund of €175,000.

Directions

The show-grounds are located on the outskirts of Tullamore, on the N52 Tullamore/Birr Road, approximately 7km from Tullamore town.

Free car parking will be provided adjacent to the show-grounds, with 20,000 car parking spaces available. Motorists will be directed along four dedicated routes to four car parks.

North / north east traffic from Kilbeggan; the N52 and N80, will be diverted via the Tullamore by-pass to the Birr Road (N52.) It will access the green car park, adjacent to the show-grounds.

West / north west traffic, from the Athlone M6 direction, will be diverted off the M6 after Athlone, and via Clara, R420, Coolnahiley and Rahan, where it will be accommodated at the yellow car park, adjacent to the show-grounds.

South / south east traffic, from the Portlaoise, Mountmellick, and the N80 direction, will be diverted at Killeigh village, towards the show-grounds. It will be accommodated in the blue car park.

South / south west traffic, from the Birr N52 direction, will be diverted left at Blueball, to the red car park, adjacent to the show-grounds.

A periodic reversible one-way traffic system will operated around the show-grounds at peak times in the morning and the evening. This, a Garda spokesperson said, will result in delays. The organisers advised that extra time should be added to plans to allow for traffic delays.

Parking will not be permitted on the diversion routes or roads in the vicinity of the show-grounds. These will be tow-away areas.

Exhibitors are being asked to arrive before 9:30am, with badges displayed clearly for ease of access. Grounds are open to the public from 8:30am, with the grounds open to exhibitors from 7:00am.

Livestock, including horses, will gain access to the site via the closed section of the N52.

A disabled car park will be provided on the event site. All vehicles displaying disabled signs will be directed there. This car park will also accommodate elderly or infirm visitors.

Those needing to avail of this car park should follow the signage for the livestock entrance on the Great Wood Road. After 1:00pm, people are asked to use the Blueball entrance for disabled car parking, the red car park.

A free shuttle bus will be available running from Tullamore town centre to the show-grounds, servicing O’Connor Square and the train station. This will run from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Visit the website www.tullamoreshow.com for full coverage, and connect with the show on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat).