Thousands to get stuck in - until the ploughs come home

A FARM on the edge of a Co Cork village is set to be transformed into the equivalent of a bustling town that will be packed with up to 150,000 people over the next three days.

Final preparations for the National Ploughing Championships will be made today at the sprawling tented complex that has sprung up on the 400-acre farm of Dick and Maureen Forrest in Mogeely.

The rural festival organised by the National Ploughing Association (NPA) will be officially opened at noon tomorrow by President Mary McAleese. It continues on Wednesday and Thursday.