Ploughing Championships: Dignitaries set to descend in their droves

Visitors can get advice about farm payments, passport applications and income tax, crime prevention, housing, public health, pensions, and even the up-to-date weather forecast at the one location.

Fianna Fáil leader Michael Martin with farmer Lorna Byrne from laois and Minister Sean Fleming at the 2022 Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska, Co Laois. Photo: Eamon Ward

A decision by the Government of Ireland last year to bring 140 State information exhibitors at the ploughing championships together in 19 different marquees in a pop-up village across 3.2 acres made sense.

It meant that departments and State agencies exhibiting at the event were brought under one roof instead of being scattered across the site in various stands and marquees as was the case in previous years.