Clear blue skies and temperatures in the high ‘teens attracted 102,500 through the gates for the 88th National Ploughing Championships at Ballintrane, Fenagh, in our neighbouring county of Carlow today.

Matriarch of the championships, Ms Anna May McHugh stated; “We are extremely pleased with the turn out today. The traffic flowed well thanks to the Garda traffic management and visitor co-operation. Everywhere you looked people were smiling and enjoying themselves experiencing the whole array of activities on offer.  With the good weather set to continue along with two more action packed days of trading and ploughing, we are expecting similar crowds all week.”

President Michael D. Higgins officially launched the event paying tribute to Ms Anna May McHugh, the Gardaí, Carlow County Council and the hundreds of volunteers and staff that are required to stage the event. He also visited the ploughing plots to examine the conditions and meet with the Under 28 conventional competitors and Horse Ploughing competitions.

The traffic plan worked extremely well for Wexford visitors, and there were thousands, slow movement was experienced through Bunclody, where road works in the town were suspended for the week to facilitate to facilitate travellers to and from the championships, however, motorists were patient and the traffic plan worked satisfactorily.

The event continues tomorrow and Thursday. Gardai advise motorists travelling from Wexford to travel on the N80 through Bunclody and Ballon and will be directed by Gardai to the Event Site, (Grey Car Park). 

Motorists travelling from Wicklow will travel on the N81 if travelling from Blessington/Baltinglass area to Tullow and will be directed by Gardai to the Event Site, (Orange Car Park). Motorists also have the option of travelling on the M11 and exit onto the new N80 link road at Enniscorthy and join the Wexford Route (via Bunclody and Ballon) to the Event Site, (Grey Car Park).