New road may sink plans for World Ploughing Championships in 2006

FEARS are growing that Ireland could lose a world-class agricultural event worth millions of euro as the lands earmarked to host the showcase contest are to be bulldozed to make way for a new road.

Carlow was set to host the World Ploughing Championships in 2006. But farm land which was to be used for the event is to be bought up to make way for the new N9 road from Waterford to Kilcullen, it has emerged.

The National Roads Authority (NRA) will today outline exactly what lands will be impacted by the new route. Compensation will be agreed at a later date and construction will begin late next year.