Farming special - Day 2: 82,000 attend the first day of Ploughing

An estimated 82,000 people attended the opening day of the national ploughing championships at Ratheniska, Co Laois, yesterday.

The turnout was on a par with the first day of the rural festival at the same venue last year and got the three-day event off to a great start in good weather.

Chief Supt John Scanlan said he was happy with the way traffic moved. People should expect delays, however, at an event of such magnitude.