Event ploughs ahead
Days of dry and warm weather facilitated the 1,400 exhibitors in setting their stands on firm ground and ensured that service vehicles and cars could move about without difficulty.
Spirits have also been raised with Met Éireann predicting mostly fine weather for the next three days in Ratheniska where ground conditions are reported to be good.
The forecast is that today will be warm and humid and dry in many areas with some hazy sunshine.
But some showers will break out over parts of Munster and Connacht in the afternoon and evening.
Tomorrow and Thursday will be bright days with sunny spells, but there will be heavy showers at times in places.
The prospect of a few showers will be welcome by the 340 ploughing competitors as it will soften the soil which has become hard with the recent dry weather.
The heavy machinery exhibits in Ratherniska were in place since Saturday but other stands were being stocked with merchandise yesterday.
Staff were also becoming familiar with their temporary surrounds and preparing for the influx of people from 9am today.
The event will be held largely on the farm of David and Shirley Carter and their children, Clive, Howard, and Susan, with neighbours providing additional land for parking and ploughing.
Gardaí have a major traffic plan in operation to ensure that 80,000 vehicles can come and go with as little delay as possible.
About 400 acres will be used for free car parking and another 150 for 21 ploughing competitions involving 340 contestants chasing an €18,000 prize fund as well as national titles.
A further 100 acres will be used by for trade displays and demonstrations by nearly 1,400 exhibitors selling everything from soft drinks to powerful tractors and the latest fashions.
National Ploughing Association managing director Anna May McHugh said she was delighted the ploughing championships are coming to her home county for the fifth time.
