The National Ploughing Championships are back yet again in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly for 2026.

Stay up to date with all the action on our live blog below.

Some key points of information:

Live

September 15, 20261:30 pm

Agriland’s Richard Halloren has been out and about today chatting to ploughing punters.

@agriland.ie
Agriland’s Richard Halleron welcomes us to day one of the 2026 National Ploughing Championships #Ploughing2026
♬ original sound – Agriland – Agriland

September 15, 20261:24 pm

President of Ireland Catherine Connolly and her husband Brian attending the Ploughing. President Connolly officially opened the event today.

President Connolly and her husband Brian with NPA managing director Anna May McHugh. Picture: Tony Maxwell

September 15, 20261:03 pm

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has joined Agriland editor Stella Meehan on stage to discuss TB and work/life balance among various other farm issues.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon in conversation with Agriland editor Stella Meehan at the National Ploughing Championships 2026

September 15, 202612:57 pm

The future of farming! Our reporters are enjoying getting out and about on site today hearing from both young and old.

On the green carpet with Agriland at the National Ploughing Championships 2026

September 15, 202612:54 pm

ICMSA’s Eamon Carroll has now joined Agriland editor Stella Meehan on stage to discuss a major new national survey that shows that farming is approaching a “cliff edge”, with one-in-three farmers indicating their intention to exit the farming sector within five years.

The findings of the survey – conducted by leading Irish research agency Opinions, and commissioned by Agriland and the ICMSA – have highlighted the fast-approaching concern regarding farm succession.

Tune into our livestream now to learn more about the survey findings:

September 15, 202612:39 pm

Bobby Miller of the Irish Grain Growers’ Group, John Murphy of the Irish Farmers’ Association and Michael Hennessy of Teagasc are now on stage discussing the challenges facing Irish tillage farmers.

Bobby Miller, IGGG; John Murphy, IFA; and Michael Hennessy, Teagasc, speaking with Agriland editor Stella Meehan on tillage

September 15, 202612:19 pm

Tánaiste Simon Harris is now speaking on the Agriland stage, addressing supports needed for farmers from Budget 2027 and the next CAP.

He said government is “going to continue to support” farmers and that his focus in the upcoming budget is “making work pay”.

September 15, 202612:15 pm

Discussions on stage have kicked off with NPA assistant managing director James Sutton joining Agriland editor Stella Meehan.

He said there is a “buzz” to the event made even better by favourable weather conditions.

James said there’s something here for everyone at Ploughing 2026, with the highlight being the ploughing itself which gives those competing an opportunity to plough on a national stage and win a title. He said there is “no better feeling”.

September 15, 202612:01 pm

And we are live! Lots to come over the course of this afternoon. Agriland editor Stella Meehan is now doing an introduction.

Tune in to our livestream until 3:00p.m.

September 15, 202611:50 am

Agriland is once again the proud livestream media partner of the National Ploughing Association.

Today’s livestream will begin soon at noon and will focus on ‘The state of Irish farming – what’s next?‘

We’ll start off by chatting to ploughing veterans, take a look at the action in the competition and then move to the serious issue of the pressures in tillage at this time.

September 15, 202611:48 am

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has arrived on site – the Ploughing is always a key date in the political calendar.

September 15, 202610:34 am

Be sure to stop in to the Agriland tent today located at Block 4, Row 10, Stand 184 and also have a chat with our roaming reporters across the Ploughing site.

September 15, 20269:46 am

Traffic update

Those travelling to the Ploughing are being reminded this morning to avoid using satnavs and to follow official signage. There is a very high volume of traffic coming from all areas of the country.

If you're headed for #Ploughing2026 today – take note:
⚠️Parts of the N52 and approach roads to Mucklagh village are restricted
⚠️Avoid using satnav – follow official signage
⚠️Find your colour coded route: https://t.co/q7diy7YoQp pic.twitter.com/1rtJwmNITH
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) September 15, 2026

September 15, 20269:25 am

It’s all kicking off as the crowds start to roll in. 78,500 people attended day one of the Ploughing last year – how will today compare?

September 15, 20269:08 am

Weather update

Blue skies so far this morning at Screggan…

September 15, 20268:19 am

Agriland has a packed schedule of events taking place at our tent this year, so be sure to drop by us at Block 4, Row 10, Stand 184 over the next three days.

September 15, 20266:24 am

Site map

Good morning all, and welcome to our live blog. If you’re heading to Screggan today, take a look at the site map to see where you need to head first – will it be the tractors, or for a bit of food, or maybe even some ploughing?

women on farming

How can agri-innovation be made more inclusive for Irish women?