Follow colour-code roadways for easy access to and from the Ploughing Championships
National Ploughing Championships. Picture: Denis Scannell
For those driving to this year's National Ploughing Championships, the routes are clearly marked as you drive there.
To get a visual sense to help drivers, the colour-coded route maps are also very easy to follow to get you to the best, most accessible car park for you, easing your journey to an from the venue.
Cork/Munster Traffic travelling north bound on the M8 will exit at Junction 6 (Horse & Jockey) and proceed towards Thurles where Gardai will divert it to Templemore and Roscrea along the N62. It will join the N52 at Birr travelling northbound via Kilcormac/Blueball to Screggan and designated car parks on the left and right, beside the event grounds.
Kilkenny/South East Traffic will travel north along the N77 via Durrow and Abbeyleix before arriving at Portlaoise where it will be directed left at Junction 17 through Clonminham and onwards to Fairgreen, along the N80 to Mountmellick.
Mountmellick traffic will turn left at Derryclooney Bridge and on to the R422 through Rosenallis and Clonaslee. At Coolagh Cross, it will be directed right to the R421 and left at Killurin Cross towards the event site and parking.
Carlow/South East Traffic will travel on the N80 towards Portlaoise. At Bloomfield Roundabout, the Portlaoise traffic will be directed right to Rathbrennan and Junction 16 (M7). It will then turn left to the Heath, left again at the Wheel Inn pub (sign-posted Portarlington), proceed to Kennells Cross, turn left left, travel towards Mountmellick town, on to Tullamore via Killeigh and proceed to parking beside the site.
Limerick/Kerry/South West North bound traffic travelling on the M7 will exit at Junction 26 (Nenagh South) and proceed on the N52 towards Borrisokane where it will take the N62 (Signposted Portumna). After 5km, it will turn right onto the R438 to Cloghan where it will turn on to the R357 before being directed to parking beside the event grounds.
Dublin Traffic from Dublin will use the M4/M6 Westbound to Junction 5 on the M6 (Kilbeggan) and then on to the N52 towards Tullamore for 4km. At Durrow, it will turn right onto L2005 (passing the GAA Pitch), travel for 2km, turn left on to the R420 and travel for 2km to the site and designated parking.
North Traffic from the north will travel via Mullingar and onto the N52 towards Tyrellspass where it will be turned right into the village and on to Kilbeggan via R446 (old N6). Once through Kilbeggan village it will turn left for Clara onto the R436.
On the approach to Clara, traffic will turn left on to the L2009 before joining the R420 Tullamore to Clara Road. It will then turn right at Coolnahiley and be directed to parking beside the event grounds.
West Traffic from the west will exit M6 motorway at Junction 6 (Horseleap, Clara) and be directed towards Moate town. It will then be directed left on to the Ballycumber Road and will join the R436 (Ballycumber to Clara Road) before turning right to Rahan Village where it will be directed on to the L2011 towards the event site and parking on the right-hand side beside the site.
Traffic travelling westbound along the M7 Motorway will exit at Junction 15 (Cappakeel), turn right over the motorway and on to the R445 (Old Dublin Road). At New Inn Roundabout it will proceed through Emo Village and Kennells Cross where it will turn right and be directed to Garryhinch Cross and Cloneygowan Village. Traffic will then follow the R420 to the designated car parks.
