Farm Focus with FBD: All you need to know ahead of the National Ploughing Championships

When does it all kick off?

The exhibition arena opens from 9am to 6pm.

The ploughing competitions are from 10.30am to 2.30pm. The entertainment programme runs from 10am to 6pm.

Fashion shows run at 11.30am, 1.30pm, and 3.30pm.

Is it suitable for children?

The National Ploughing Championships is a child-friendly event. Children under 12 go free when accompanied by an adult. The event offers picnic areas, a playground, baby changing and feeding facilities, funfair and bandstand entertainment to cater for our younger visitors.

In addition, many of the over 1,700 exhibitors offer entertainment on their stands for children of all ages. FBD ‘Keeping You Safe’ wristbands serve as a reassurance to anyone bringing children to the event.

These wristbands are specifically for children and are handed-out at all entrances, allowing for a contact phone number to be written on the band, in case the wearer wanders off amidst the crowd.

How much is it to park at the event?

Parking is free!

What if I can’t find my car park when leaving the event?

Every car park is colour coded in our traffic plan. For example, traffic on the brown route will be directed into the brown car park on arrival, and so on.

Every car park has a colour specific blimp which can be seen from the trade arena, to direct you back to your car park, and colour coded entry/exit signage. Take note of the image on the sign when you enter/leave the park. For example, the sign could be a blue bear.

All entry wristbands are numbered, so our stewards can help you locate your car from the wristband number.

Where can I see the Brown Bread Baking Competition?

The National Brown Bread Baking Competition is a huge attraction at the event, run in conjunction with ICA and Aldi.

The semi-finals take place in the Aldi marquee on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the final on Thursday. You can watch the finalists bake their bread in the marquee as they compete for a prize fund worth over €15,000.

Can I bring my dog?

Guide dogs are welcome at the National Ploughing Championships, however the event attracts approximately 80,000 people per day and owing to the large crowds, we request patrons not to bring family pets.

The NPA does not permit patrons to keep animals in vehicles in car parks due to the dangers of heat exhaustion.

In the fourth Irish Examiner Farming Podcast, it’s all about the National Ploughing Championships - including an in-depth discussion with queen of the plough, Anna May McHugh about the past, present and future of Europe’s largest agri event