Dry spell a boost for ploughing preparations

THE arrival of Indian summer weather has boosted preparations for the 77th national ploughing championships which Tánaiste Mary Coughlan will officially open at Farmley, Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny, at noon tomorrow.

Sunshine in the past few days has helped to dry out the sprawling 600-acre site after the heavy rainfall of recent weeks, with the result that everything is now ready for the annual three-day pageant of rural life.

Met Éireann is forecasting a continuation of the fine settled weather, with further sunny spells over the coming days, but wellies and strong boots remain the recommended footwear for people coming to the “tented town” that has been erected on the site.

Some 150,000 people are expected to attend the event, which is costing more than €3.5 million to stage and will be worth at least €20m to the region’s economy.

The National Ploughing Association (NPA) has put down more than 15km of track to service 900 trade and other exhibits as well as ploughing plots where 300 competitors will chase 19 national titles.

NPA press officer Anna Marie McHugh said the site, nearly five miles from Kilkenny city, had held up well to the heavy rain earlier in the month while recent consecutive dry days were a great help.

The last of the heavy exhibits were brought on to the elevated site over the weekend and practically all the infrastructure is now in place.

“I would urge people intending to travel to the championships to start their journey early, adhere strictly to the indicated routes and signage and observe the directions of the gardaí and stewards.

“I would particularly appeal to drivers not to be tempted into taking so called ‘short cuts’ across country road as they will inevitably encounter delays,” she said.

Catholic Bishop of Ossory Seamus Freeman and Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel and Ossory Michael Burrows will bless the grounds, which local farmers Robert Woodcock and Patrick Barry, and their families, have made available for the event.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen will be among the visitors while the Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and other political party leaders are also expected to attend.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith and his northern counterpart Michelle Gildernew will also visit the event.

A major Garda traffic plan involving nine separate routes will be put into operation across several counties at tomorrow.

That’s when the first of the anticipated 40,000 vehicles per day will begin their journey towards the venue, which will have 400 acres of parking spaces available.

There will be five separate vehicle parking areas, four designated areas for the parking of large buses and two designated car parks to facilitate the disabled.