Ploughing Championships: Where is it on, how to get there, and where to park?

A major traffic plan is in operation once again

A drone view of the site for this year's National Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska, Co Laois. Picture: Dan Linehan

Ensuring that motorists travelling to this week’s national ploughing championship can arrive and depart from the venue in safety and with the minimum delay is a challenging task.

Gardaí, who have prepared a major traffic and parking plan for the event, will deploy members on the ground and on mobile patrols as well as the force’s aerial, mounted and communication units for the operation.

It will be activated in Laois and on routes across several counties at dawn on Tuesday, September 17, as thousands of people head for the opening day of the three-day event — regarded as the largest of its kind in Europe.

Ratheniska, which hosted the World Contest in 2022, is seen as an ideal venue because it is centrally located and has a good road network.

Laois/Offaly and Kildare Garda Division are among the most experienced in the country for managing traffic flow at large events.

It has policed “the ploughing” on five occasions in the past nine years, as well as the Electric Picnic music festival, held in nearby Stradbally since 2004.

As a result, those who intend to drive to this year’s championships can be assured that the Garda traffic advice is based on experience and common sense.

All routes leading to the event will be colour-coded. Motorists will be directed to corresponding colour-coded car parks.

Drivers are urged to read and study the traffic and parking plan and select their chosen route and car park before leaving home.

They are also advised to follow the directions of gardaí and stewards, who will control junctions and entrances.

Long serving steward John Dollard pictured ahead of the start of this year's Ploughing Championships. Photo: Alf Harvey.

On arrival, motorists are urged to follow the directional signage as road closures and alternative routes are often put in place specifically for event purposes at short notice.

Motorists are specifically asked not to use SatNav systems as these may not have up-to-date traffic information and diversions.

Passes should be visible on vehicle windscreens on the approach to traffic points to assist gardaí and stewards in directing them to the proper parks.

A Shuttle Bus Service will also be provided by Bus Eireann from Portlaoise, Portarlington and Athy train stations to Ratheniska village.

This will operate to suit train times. The drop-off and pick-up points are less than a 10-minute walk from the trade exhibition.

People driving to the event are advised by the National Ploughing Association to factor in at least double the normal journey time due to heavy volumes of traffic expected, or car-pool, where possible.

Those travelling with children should bring drinks and snacks. ‘FBD: Keeping You Safe’ child safety wristbands will be available at every entrance and within the event grounds.

Visitors are also advised to dress for the weather and to wear good footwear suitable for rough terrain.

Attendees should also note on arrival the colour of the overhead flying blimp in their car park and the number/colour/animal sign at the entrance/exit.

If they have a smartphone, they are advised to take a picture of the animal image and the car park number in order to help them locate their parked vehicles when leaving in the evening.