High hopes Ploughing will return in 2026

There are high hopes that the National Ploughing Championships will return to Offaly in 2026, after the successful staging of Europe's largest outdoor event brought huge crowds and a major economic boost to the county.

The National Ploughing Association confirmed an attendance of 78,500 on Tuesday, the opening day of the event, with 85,000 visitors passing through the gates on Wednesday, bringing the crowd total to 163,500 on the first two days alone.

Ferbane suckler farmer and chairperson of Tullamore Show, John Keena, told the Offaly Independent he was “very hopeful” that the National Ploughing Championships will return to Offaly next year.

Having attended the event yesterday (Thursday) he said there appeared to be “widespread praise” from everyone he met for the site in Screggan and, in particular, for the traffic management plan put in place by An Garda Siochana in collaboration with the National Ploughing Associatiobn (NPA).

Mr Keena said exhibitors at the recent Tullamore Show were “very happy” with the level of business conducted.

He said the same was true of the ploughing championships.

"It proves the old saying that if farmers have money they will spend it," he said, "and trade seems to have been brisk in Screggan from what I was told."

While he admits that the good weather had "contributed enormously" to the success of the event, he expressed the hope that Offaly will against host the National Ploughing Championships in 2026.

"I know the formal announcement of next year's venue is still under wraps, but I would be very suprised if the NPA decided to move it to another location given the undoubted success of the Screggan site."

Assistant Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, Anna Marie McHugh, complimented the work of all involved to ensure the success of the 94th National Ploughing Championships, but said she was unable to confirm as of yet whether Screggan would host the event next year.

"We hope to be in a position soon to announce the host venues for the National Ploughing Championships in 2026, 2027 and 2028," Ms McHugh said.

"There are a couple of options available to the committee but we have to reflect on this year's event, discuss the situation with the relevant landowners and then make our decision."

Ms Hugh praised the extensive traffic management plan in operation, stating there were "no significant issues" despite the massive turnout each day.

The schedule of events featured over 150 acres of trade exhibition space, and Ms McHugh stating that business on site was brisk over the course of the three days, bringing a welcome boost to all the traders who were promoting their products in Screggan.

While the National Ploughing Championships is a "celebration", Ms McHugh said this year's event was a "bittersweet" experience for her and the committee as it was the last occasion on which the current President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, presided over its official opening.

"Excluding the Covid-19 period, we have welcomed President Michael D Higgins as our guest of honour to open the National Ploughing Championship since he first took office," Ms McHugh said.

"It was fitting that he received a warm standing ovation on two occasions during his time with us on Tuesday, and we made him a presentation to mark his annual presence at the National Ploughing Championships during his term of office. The end of his presidency will mark the end of an era."

Local Fine Gael deputy, John Clendennen – who attended the ploughing on Tuesday and Wednesday – said it was "a marvellous event" and expressed himself as being "very optimistic" that Offaly will once again be named as the location for the 2026 National Ploughing Championships.

"If you look at past trends, each venue that has hosted the ploughing up to this has had it for a two-year cycle, so I would be very confident that we will have it again next year” he said.

Deputy Clendennen said the traffic plan for those attending the site of the ploughing at Screggan had worked "extremely well" and added that his trip from his home in Kinnity to the showgrounds on the outskirts of Mucklagh had not taken him any longer than it would have on a normal day.

He praised the 'park and ride' facilities put in place on all the approach roads to the ploughing site, and said there had been "very little, if any" problems with traffic flow into and out of the Screggan showgrounds.

"Offaly is right in the centre of Ireland so it is an ideal location for an event as big as the ploughing championships, so I am very, very hopeful that we will again be hosting this outstanding event in 2026” said Deputy Clendennen.

Reiterating his call for Screggan to retain the National Ploughing Championships in 2026, Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack said the site was in a prime location.

"The National Ploughing Championships is a great boost for the people of Offaly, and we have a site in Screggan ideally located to host the event again next year.

"While the cash flow it brings to our local economy is welcome, you could not buy the advertising which Screggan has received from hosting this year's event. Every news bulletin this week has referenced the National Ploughing Championships in County Offaly and that can only be of benefit," Deputy McCormack said.

The TD visited the event on each of the three days and spoke of the "fantastic atmosphere" there throughout the week.