President Catherine Connolly to open 95th Ploughing Championships

By Rebekah O'Reilly

President Catherine Connolly is set to officially open the 95th National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, it has been confirmed.

Speaking at the media launch of the event last week, Anna May McHugh, managing director of the National Ploughing Association, confirmed that the President would officially open the championships on Tuesday, September 15.

Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Declan Harvey, said the return of the National Ploughing Championships to Offaly for a second consecutive year would provide a significant boost to the local economy.

“It’s great to have them going back here for the second year,” he said. “The site alone is huge in size and it’s an ideal site for transport. People can get here from all over the country. The road network and everything leads to this part of the country, being in the centre of Ireland.”

He said the scale of the event would make it particularly important for businesses in Tullamore and across the county.

“It’s huge for the economy. I don’t know exactly how much financially it brings in, but when you see the size and scale of the event, it has to bring a significant amount of money into the area.”

Cllr Harvey said the championships would also provide an important showcase for the county’s farming community and hospitality sector.

“Whatever you want, you can get here. The hospitality, the people who come to distribute, the people selling their machinery, the animals - it’s all huge. It’s really, really great for the county and the town of Tullamore.”

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke also highlighted the importance of the championships to Offaly and the wider Midlands.

“When you look at it from an Irish context, and even a European context, it’s the largest outdoor event and really the spine of the Irish agri-economy,” he said.

He pointed to the breadth of the event, with hundreds of competitors and a huge number of exhibitors, families, customers and international buyers expected to attend.

“It’s a very significant international event with so much agri-innovation,” he said, highlighting the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Hub, which is in its 13th year and will feature around 40 exhibitors focusing on areas including sustainability, climate and artificial intelligence.

Minister Burke said the championships also provided an opportunity for people from across society to meet and engage with political representatives.

“It gives the cross-section of society a chance to interact, meet so many political figures and try and frame what way the nation is and what the heartbeat is at that particular time.”

He said the economic impact on the local area would be considerable, with around 250,000 people expected to visit the site over the course of the event.

“When you have 250,000 people coming to Screggan and leaving it as well, a lot of people just stop on the way home. That provides a huge boost to the local economy.”

Acknowledging that the event could cause some disruption to local traffic and daily journeys, Minister Burke said the benefits would outweigh the inconvenience.

“The benefit is pretty significant,” he said.

The return of the championships will also see the fashion tent back in Offaly, with co-ordinator Brigid Dooley looking forward to another busy event.

The Offaly native organises three fashion shows each day of the event, with local boutiques given the first opportunity to take part before the search is widened beyond the county.

Among the Offaly boutiques involved this year are My Fair Lady in Tullamore and The Stables.

Brigid said My Fair Lady would showcase looks for occasions including weddings and mother-of-the-bride outfits, while The Stables would also feature wedding and occasion wear.

Two models from Galway will also take part this year, with Brigid describing them as “just fantastic”.

With seating for more than 900 people, the fashion tent provides boutiques and exhibitors with a major platform to showcase their products.

“There isn’t a fashion show out there that has over 900 people,” she said. “We seat 300, as I say, and there’s always a few standing at the back.”

The tent will also feature exhibitors from across Ireland, including jewellery, makeup and other services.

As in previous years, competitions will also celebrate the style of those attending the Ploughing.

Shaw’s Department Stores is the head sponsor of the Best Dressed Lady competition, although the identity of this year’s judge had yet to be confirmed.

Brigid welcomed the growing role of fashion at the Ploughing, saying it reflected the style of people working in farming.

“I think it’s brilliant because when you think about the lady out on the farm, she’s well dressed, she’s got a nice jacket and her boots and her jeans. So why not?” she said.

“It’s not all about your silky dress or your hat. She’s out there, and she’s very stylish.”

With weather conditions often unpredictable during the Ploughing, Brigid advised attendees to dress appropriately while still embracing their own style.

There are two style categories being judged at this year’s event, Most Appropriate and Most Stylish, giving attendees the chance to enter whichever category they feel suits them best.

“Go for whichever category you feel comfortable in,” she said.

The international appeal of the championships continues to grow, with strong representation from Northern Ireland, alongside exhibitors travelling from Scotland, England, France, the Czech Republic and New Zealand.

There will be a fantastic variety of livestock across the three days, combining major competitions with an extensive selection of breeds and displays. The Growvite All-Ireland Aberdeen Angus Finals take place on Tuesday, while Wednesday brings the Irish Simmental National Calf Finals and Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition. Visitors can also explore the popular Sheep Tunnel and Sheep Shearing Tent, alongside many other livestock attractions.

The future of farming will be on show at the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena, where Irish agritech businesses and innovators will showcase new ideas and solutions. Joining its awards for 2026 is the new Young Innovator of the Year Award.