Tomorrow morning, from just before dawn, the first of probably 200,000 people will set foot on the site of the 2013 National Ploughing Championships.

Almost 400 people attended the National Ploughing Association’s formal unveiling of Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co Laois, as the host venue for the 2013 National Ploughing Championships on Sept 24, 25 and 26 next, bridging a 70-year gap since the event was last held in the area.