The countdown to the National Ploughing Championships 2024 is well underway, with the event set to take place from Tuesday (September 17) to Thursday (September 19) in Ratheniska, Co. Laois.
There are over 300 entries for the national ploughing classes, while the addition of the European Vintage Championships on Tuesday and Wednesday will attract competitors from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Belgium, Ireland and Germany.
Away from the ploughing fields, there will be plenty to entertain the crowds including trade stands, fashion shows, sheep shearing, along with live music and dancing.
If you are travelling to Ratheniska, be sure to call into the Agriland tent which will be located in the centre of the site at Block 3, Row 15, Stand 289.
With over 80,000 people expected to attend the event each day, An Garda Síochána has prepared a traffic management and parking plan.
Gardaí said that it is essential that drivers would not use Satnav type devices as they may not have this up to date information and traffic diversions.
They have appealed to those attending the Ploughing to listen and comply with any direction given by An Garda Síochána or stewards.
Ploughing
The traffic management plan includes six colour coded routes depending on where you are travelling from in the country.
The blue route will cater for traffic coming from Cork and the surrounding areas.
Traffic travelling northbound on the M8 will exit at Junction 4 (Johnstown, Urlingford) and proceed onto R439 (old N8) where it will travel to Durrow Co. Laois.
From Durrow traffic will continue forward onto the N77 (old N8) to Abbeyleix. In Abbeyleix, traffic will turn right onto the R425 to Ballyroan village, continue forward to Cashel Cross bearing right onto R427 to Money Cross and will proceed to designated blue car parks beside the event grounds.
For those driving from Dublin, surrounding parts of Leinster and Northern Ireland, use the purple route.
Traffic travelling southbound on the M7 will exit at Junction 15 Cappakeel, Co. Laois and proceed left onto the L3930 where it will travel to Vicarstown.
In Vicarstown, it will turn right onto R427 and travel towards Stradbally Co. Laois.
At Garrans Cross, traffic will turn right for approximately 1.6km and then turn left at Buddocks Cross proceeding onto Abels Corner, Stradbally where it will turn right onto N80 and immediately left onto the R427.
Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated purple car parks on the left and right hand side of the R427 beside the event grounds.
Traffic coming from Limerick, Kerry and the southwest of the country must use the brown route.
Traffic travelling northbound on the M7 will exit at Junction 17 Togher, Portlaoise and proceed left onto N77 towards Portlaoise town.
Traffic will be diverted right at Meelick onto the L6310 where it will turn right onto the R426 and onto Sheffield Cross.
At Sheffield Junction traffic will turn right again and proceed onto Money Cross to designated brown car parking on the left hand side of the R427
Traffic travelling northbound on the R445 (old N7) will be diverted back onto the M7 Motorway at Junction 18 where it will proceed to parking with the rest of Limerick, Kerry, southwest traffic.
For those travelling from the west and northwest of the country, gardaí have advised to use the green route.
Traffic travelling from the west on the N80 will proceed to Mountmellick town. Approaching the town traffic will take a left onto the L20972. Continuing on this road to take a right onto the L423.
Traffic will join the R422 and travel as far as Kennels Cross, Emo, Co. Laois.
At Kennels Cross traffic will turn right onto R419 and travel forward to the R445 (Old Dublin Rd), turning right and proceed towards Ballydavis, Portlaoise continuing through two roundabouts remaining on the R445 towards Rathbrennan, Portlaoise where traffic will turn left onto the R425 travelling forward to Bloomfield Cross.
At Bloomfield Cross, traffic will turn left onto N80 and proceed to Dysart where it will turn right onto a one-way system along the L6772 as far as Ratheniska village. Traffic will proceed to green car parking near the event grounds.
The yellow route is to be used by traffic coming from the southeast and Carlow.
Traffic travelling from Carlow and southeast will travel through Simmons Mill Cross roads on the N80 and continue forward towards Stradbally town.
Traffic will turn left off the N80 at St. Joseph’s cemetery and advance onto Timogue Cross where it will continue through crossroads to L7835.
Traffic will proceed to the designated yellow parking on the left hand side of the L7835 beside the event grounds.
Gardaí said that traffic from the southeast and Kilkenny will be using the grey route.
Traffic travelling from Kilkenny and southeast along the N78 will turn left at Newtown Cross Roads and continue forward along the R430 to The Swan.
Just outside The Swan Village, traffic will turn right onto the R426 and continue to Timahoe Village.
In Timahoe, traffic will continue through the village on the R426 towards Money Cross. At Loughteague Lane, traffic will turn right onto L78354.
Traffic will proceed to parking by turning right off the L7837 into the grey carpark beside the event.
Gardaí said that if you are driving to the event they advise you to factor in at least double the normal journey time due to heavy volumes of traffic, and car pool where possible.
Bus Éireann will be also running a shuttle service from Portlaoise, Portarlington, and Athy train stations and is offering an enhanced service this year.