Visitors bask in glorious sunshine on day one of the 2024 Ploughing Championships

People used to splashing through muddy puddles in wellies and raincoats during the festival are enjoying the Indian summer in Ratheniska, Co Laois

Ploughman Tommy McCarthy, Abbeydorney, Co Kerry, with his children, Timmy, Lauren, and Katelyn at the intermediate two-furrow reversible class plot at the National Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska, Co Laois. Picture: Dan Linehan

No wellies, no raincoats, no muddy puddles — the 300,000 people attending this year's National Ploughing Championships are basking in a glorious Indian summer in Ratheniska. 

It’s a stark contrast to last year when attendees were head-to-toe in waterproofs, and vehicles were being towed out of car parks.