The sun is shining on the final day of the National Ploughing Championships, but there is a danger of some heavy showers later in the afternoon.

Conditions will continue to brighten up this morning with good sunshine for many places during the day, according to Met Eireann.

It is set to be mainly dry across the country today (Thursday, September 21), but a few heavy showers may develop as the day progresses.

Temperatures are expected to reach highs of between 14º and 15º in moderate southwest breezes.

This evening and early tonight will continue to remain dry, but rain will spread eastwards during the second half of the night – as temperatures drop to around 8º, Met Eireann added.

A return to drier weather will be welcomed wholeheartedly by those visiting the ‘Ploughing’. Yesterday, patrons were forced to battle tough conditions as they tried to enjoy the annual three-day event.

With a rainfall warning issued early yesterday morning, the Screggan site was hit by its fair share of the 35mm of rain forecast. Heavy showers poured down for the majority of the day, causing some walkways and stands to become flooded or waterlogged.

An army of volunteers, tractors and slurry tankers set about tackling the mayhem. Work continued through until the early hours and resumed early again this morning.

Indeed, the National Ploughing Association’s (NPA’s) Anna Marie McHugh appeared on AgriLand’s ‘live stream’ broadcast at the end of the day to dispel any rumours that the final day of the ‘Ploughing’ was going to be cancelled.