Micheál Martin has ruled out the Taoiseach's suggestion of a grand coalition with Fine Gael after the next election.

As the sun beamed down on gleaming tractor cabs the biggest attractions were the icecream vans and frozen yoghurt stalls.

Beef and dairy farmers have taken the Ireland Southern NUTS2 region to No 1 in Europe.

Only Kerry Group has held its price for August milk, with most of the big buyers cutting 1 cent per litre (cpl), compared to July. Suppliers to the top-paying West Cork co-ops will be affected by a Carbery price cut of 1cpl.

President Michael D Higgins has waded into the beef crisis by telling crowds on the first day of the National Ploughing Championships in Co Carlow that there needed to be more transparency in the price relationship between producers and farmers.

In spite of the impending exit of the UK from the EU, Ireland and the UK are inextricably linked from an economic point of view and this is particularly true in the agri-food sector.

Olympic silver medal rowing champions Paul and Gary O’Donovan will be a big draw at the FBD Insurance stand all day Wednesday.

The Government of Ireland village is a new addition to the National Ploughing Championships.

Some top tips for this year's Ploughing Championships.

People wondered if crowds would again flock to the National Ploughing Championships after Storm Ali caused the cancellation of Wednesday’s programme, writes Ray Ryan