Some 250,000 set to arrive as Offaly prepares to host Ploughing Championships

The Offaly townland of Screggan will be the centre of national attention next week when it welcomes some 250,000 visitors from home and abroad to the 94th National Ploughing Championships.

Taking place from Tuesday, September 16, until Thursday, September 18, the annual three-day event will be centred on a sprawling Screggan site on the outskirts of Mucklagh, Tullamre, with the event set to showcase all that is positive about the country's agriculture sector.

In one of his closing official engagements as President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins will officially open the event.

Assistant Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, Anna Marie McHugh, said the preparations for the three days of the championships next week have been ongoing since Screggan was announced as the venue in September 2024.

"Having hosted the National Ploughing Championships from 2016 to 2018, there is a strong link with the community of Screggan and we look forward to welcoming a large attendance next week," Ms McHugh said

"Knowing the site layout, we have been able to plan well in advance and thankfully, with the co-operation of Offaly County Council, the Gardai, emergency services, the organising committee and the local community, we are confident that the logistics are in place to have a successful three-day event."

The National Ploughing Championship highlights are too numerous to mention in totality, but the long-serving Assistant Managing Director emphasised that a flavour of rural life will be to the fore during the busy event schedule in Screggan.

"While there is a focus on the agriculture industry at the National Ploughing Championships, the event has evolved to such an extent that all visitors can savour what is on offer over the course of the three days," Ms McHugh said.

In a first for the Ploughing, there will be a 'Midlands Flavours' marquee celebrating the best in food produce from the region, with Ms McHugh keen to emphasise that the event will pay tribute to the area in which it is hosted.

It's estimated that upwards of 700 acres of land are required to stage the annual event, with the National Ploughing Championships featuring over 150 acres of trade exhibition space alone.

"There is a business element to the event, with start-ups and innovators taking the opportunity to showcase and interact with national and international buyers," Ms McHugh said, adding that students from throughout the country would also be arriving in Offaly.

Google and TikTok will also exhibit at the championships, with Ms McHugh adding "all that is currently trending for young people" will feature at the event.

"The National Ploughing Championships is essentially a family event and the expanse of exhibitors on site in Screggan will reflect that," Ms McHugh said.

A colour-coded traffic management plan will be in place for all motorists approaching the venue from different national routes. Motorists on these eight routes will also be directed to use the same colour coded car parks.

RTÉ will be among the media outlets broadcasting from the event, as it announced three days of live radio, live entertainment, live news, live weather and personal appearances from Tuesday to Thursday.

Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr John Leahy, commended the local community in Screggan for the support they have provided towards the hosting of the National Ploughing Championships.

"Chairman of the Offaly Ploughing Association, Brian Mahon, and his committee members, have done all in his power to ensure the National Ploughing Championships returned to Screggan for the first time in seven years.

"The locals have also played a part in their support of the National Ploughing Championships, as the event essentially takes over the community of Screggan for the week," Cllr Leahy said.

The Cathaoirleach also acknowledged that hosting such a prestigious national event in the county would "economically benefit" not only the Tullamore area but the wider Offaly community.

"The economic benefit to Offaly as a whole is massive. This is a major national event, and with so many travelling to Screggan next week availing of the county's restaurants, cafés and retail services, the financial boost to the local economy will be welcome," Cllr Leahy added.