Pack your wellies, suncream, sunglasses and raincoats - The National Ploughing Championship has finally returned, and the weather is sure to be as varied as the itinerary.
As one of Europe's largest outdoor events, the annual exhibition is expected to attract almost 300,000 visitors as it returns to Ratheniska, Co Laois from 17-19 September.
Kicking off at 9am and closing at 6pm, the Trade Machinery, Livestock and General Exhibition will be feature a jam-packed programme of events, filled to the brim with live music, a fashion show, pony club games, and the annual brown bread baking competition.
Before all that, though, you need to get there. Below, we have shared the NPA's detailed guide to getting to the site.
How to get there:
In conjunction with An Garda Siochana, the team behind the Ploughing have developed a detailed traffic plan to keep things moving throughout the week. Take a look at the traffic plan before you make your departure.
Don't bother using your sat-nav to get you to the site, as there will be colour coded routes to get you to the correct parking location. You can find a helpful map here.
Traffic from Cork/Munster: BLUE
Traffic travelling northbound on the M8 will exit at Junction 4 (Johnstown, Urlingford) and proceed onto R439 (old N8) where it will travel to Durrow Co. Laois. From Durrow traffic will continue forward onto the N77 (old N8) to Abbeyleix.
In Abbeyleix traffic will turn right onto the R425 to Ballyroan village, continue forward to Cashel Cross bearing right onto R427 to Money Cross and will proceed to parking beside the event grounds.
Parking: Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated BLUE car parks on the left and right hand side of the R427 just beside the event grounds at Ratheniska.
Traffic from Dublin/Leinster/North: PURPLE
Traffic travelling southbound on the M7 will exit at Junction 15 Cappakeel, Co. Laois and proceed left onto the L3930 where it will travel to Vicarstown. In Vicarstown, it will turn right onto R427 and travel towards Stradbally Co. Laois.
At Garrans Cross, traffic will turn right for approximately 1.6km and then turn left at Buddocks Cross proceeding onto Abels Corner, Stradbally where it will turn right onto N80 and immediately left onto the R427.
Parking: Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated PURPLE Car Parks on the left and right hand side of the R427 just beside the event grounds at Ratheniska.
Traffic from Limerick/Kerry/South West: BROWN
Traffic travelling northbound on the M7 will exit at Junction 17 Togher, Portlaoise and proceed left onto N77 towards Portlaoise town. Traffic will be diverted right at Meelick onto the L6310 where it will turn right onto the R426 and onto Sheffield Cross.
At Sheffield Junction traffic will turn right again and proceed onto Money Cross to parking beside the event grounds. Traffic travelling northbound on the R445 (old N7) will be diverted back onto the M7 Motorway at Junction 18 where it will proceed to parking with the rest of Limerick / Kerry / South West traffic.
Parking: Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated BROWN Car Parks on the left hand side of the R427 just beside the event grounds at Ratheniska.
Traffic from the West/North West: GREEN
Traffic travelling from the west on the N80 will proceed to Mountmellick town. Approaching the town Traffic will take a left onto the L20972. Continuing on this road to take a right onto the L423. Traffic will join the R422 and travel as far as Kennels Cross, Emo, Co. Laois.
At Kennels Cross traffic will turn right onto R419 and travel forward to the R445 (Old Dublin Rd), turning right and proceed towards Ballydavis, Portlaoise continuing through two roundabouts (1st and 3rd exits respectively) remaining on the R445 towards Rathbrennan, Portlaoise where traffic will turn left onto the R425 travelling forward to Bloomfield Cross.
At Bloomfield Cross, traffic will turn left onto N80 and proceed to Dysart where it will turn right onto a one-way system along the L6772 as far as Ratheniska village. Traffic will proceed to parking beside the event grounds.
Parking: Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated GREEN Car Parks near the Church at Ratheniska Village near event grounds.
Traffic from South East/Carlow: YELLOW
Traffic travelling from Carlow and South East will travel through Simmons Mill Cross roads on the N80 and continue forward towards Stradbally town. Traffic will turn left off the N80 at St. Joseph's cemetery and advance onto Timogue Cross where it will continue through crossroads to L7835 (one-way system). Traffic will proceed to parking beside the event grounds.
Parking: Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated 'YELLOW Car Parks on the left hand side of the L7835 beside the event grounds at Ratheniska.
Traffic from South East (Kilkenny): GREY
Traffic travelling from Kilkenny/South East along the N78 will turn left at Newtown Cross Roads and continue forward along the R430 to The Swan. Just outside The Swan Village, traffic will turn right onto the R426 and continue to Timahoe Village. In Timahoe Traffic will continue through the village on the R426 towards Money Cross. At Loughteague Lane, traffic will turn right onto L78354.
Parking: Traffic will proceed to parking by turning right off the L7837 into the GREY Car Park beside the event.
Public Transport
Bus Eireann will be operating a Shuttle Bus service from the Portlaoise, Portarlington and Athy Train Stations to the event. Click here for more information.
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