Ploughing ‘Olympics’ at risk

IRELAND will lose a multi-million-euro agricultural showcase unless an alternative 500-acre venue can be found for the world-class event in the next few days.

The World Ploughing Championships in 2006 was thrown into jeopardy when it emerged a dual carriageway is to be built through the site chosen to host the event.

The organisers are scrambling to find an alternative venue for the event, which will draw competitors from 30 countries.