Large crowds for day one of National Ploughing Championships

People at the National Ploughing Championships 2025 in Screggan, Co Offaly. Picture: Dan Linehan

From the early hours, thousands flocked to Co Offaly dressed for the elements as this year’s festival got under way.

Dressed in colourful wellies, raincoats, and bucket hats, they were not deterred by the forecast afternoon of rain — attendance reached 78,500 on day one, up 3,000 from last year’s figures.