Every September, rural Ireland leaves the farm and gathers in a vast field. The National Ploughing Championships, often simply known as the Ploughing, is at once a ploughing competition, a huge agricultural show and a deeply Irish popular festival. The 2026 edition takes place from 15 to 17 September in Screggan, near Tullamore, County Offaly. For three days, perfectly turned furrows sit alongside cutting-edge machinery, cookery competitions, fashion shows, livestock and a host of family activities.
Do not be misled by the name: ploughing remains the event’s historic heart, but it is only part of the experience. The site hosts more than 1,400 exhibitors and becomes a true temporary town devoted to farming, food, innovation, home, leisure and rural life. Farmers, families, students, craftspeople, politicians and curious visitors all mingle in a lively atmosphere.
The National Ploughing Association has organised the event since the 1930s. What began as a friendly contest between ploughmen has become one of Europe’s largest outdoor agricultural events. That evolution explains its distinctive character: the gathering remains rooted in the ploughman’s precise craft while showcasing the future of farming.
In the competition plots, contestants are judged on the consistency, depth and alignment of their furrows. The categories feature different techniques and generations of equipment, from conventional ploughing to specialist events. Even without knowing the rules, it quickly becomes clear just how much concentration is needed to turn a plot into a sequence of almost perfect lines.
To make the most of the spectacle, take time to get close to the permitted areas before a round begins, then return to see the ground once the work is finished. Signs and volunteers generally help visitors identify the different categories. Competition results are announced at the end of the day.
The Trade Exhibition Arena brings together agricultural machinery, livestock farming, forestry, construction, motoring, technology, housing and services. Some machines impress with their sheer size, while other stands showcase highly practical solutions: reducing fuel consumption, precision farming, water management, safety and new environmental practices.
The Innovation Arena, organised with Enterprise Ireland, is one of the most interesting spaces for understanding the future of Irish farming. Start-ups, inventors and agritech businesses present tools designed to improve farm productivity, safety and resilience.
The National Ploughing Championships is also an excellent introduction to Irish food. Food areas and the Food Fayre showcase producers, regional recipes and cookery demonstrations. The National Brown Bread Baking Competition celebrates one of the great staples of the Irish table: brown bread. The 2026 edition includes junior and senior competitions, with finals spread across the three days.
Craft demonstrations, musical performances, live radio broadcasts, livestock displays, sheep-shearing events, vintage machinery exhibitions and fashion shows complete the programme. This variety makes the visit worthwhile even for those who do not work in agriculture.
The site is enormous, and it is unrealistic to try to see everything in a single day. Before you set off, download the map and check the official programme. Pick three or four priorities: a ploughing competition, the Innovation Arena, the animals, a cookery competition or a few specific exhibitors. Then leave time to wander, as much of the charm lies in unexpected discoveries.
Arriving in the morning helps you avoid some of the crowds, walk more easily through the aisles and reach the competition areas before the busiest periods. Tickets are valid only for the date selected. You may leave temporarily during the day, provided you ask gate staff for the re-entry arrangement before leaving the site.
The event takes place in fields, not on a tarmacked exhibition site. The car parks are also set up on grass or stubble. Sturdy waterproof footwear is therefore strongly recommended, even when the weather looks favourable. Bring several layers, a windproof jacket and rain protection: in September, Irish skies can change quickly.
A small backpack, water bottle, power bank and offline copy of the map are useful. The site is vast and mobile networks can be strained by the crowds. Site maps are handed out near the entrances; also take a photo of the coloured sign and symbol for your car park so that you can find your car easily.
Screggan lies around 7 km south-west of Tullamore. During the festival, a special traffic management plan is put in place with An Garda Síochána. Access routes vary according to where you are travelling from and lead to colour-coded car parks. As you approach the site, follow the temporary signs and officers’ directions rather than your GPS: some roads are closed or made one-way.
General parking is free. There are no electric charging points in the temporary car parks. Visitors travelling by electric vehicle should therefore plan to charge outside the traffic management area before arriving.
Bus Éireann shuttle buses serve the site from Tullamore and Portarlington stations. Combined train and shuttle tickets may also be offered by Irish Rail. They are a practical option for avoiding driving in particularly heavy traffic, provided you check that day’s timetable before setting off.
A dedicated area for motorhomes and caravans is available by advance booking. It is an unserviced grass site with limited facilities, so visitors must be self-sufficient in water and power. Tents are not permitted, and a pitch ticket does not replace an admission ticket to the festival.
The Ploughing is designed as a family day out. There is a playground, funfair, activities, picnic areas and facilities for changing and feeding babies. Safety wristbands are available at the entrances for writing down an adult’s phone number, a sensible precaution at an event attended by tens of thousands of people each day.
Agree on a simple meeting point as soon as you arrive, such as the NPA headquarters marquee, and slip a phone number into children’s pockets. Pet dogs are not permitted; only guide and assistance dogs may enter. Animals should never be left in a parked car.
Reserved parking is available to holders of an official disabled parking permit. The site has reinforced walkways, accessible toilets and equipped Changing Places units, including an adult changing bench and electric hoist. Mobility scooter hire may be available by booking.
A medical centre, first-aid posts and mobile teams are on site throughout the event. If you need assistance, Information Guides and NPA staff can direct visitors to the nearest service.
Buy your ticket online before travelling: entry on the day is not guaranteed if capacity has been reached. Save the barcode on your phone or print it out, so that you do not have to rely on mobile reception at the entrance. Avoid arriving late, as traffic restrictions may prevent access to the site late in the afternoon.
For a first visit, alternate between the different aspects of the event: begin with ploughing while the competitions are in full swing, continue through the innovation or food halls, then finish with the activities and stands. This approach reveals why the National Ploughing Championships holds such a special place in Irish culture: it offers a glimpse of both the technical expertise of farming and its spirit of conviviality.
It takes place in Screggan, near Tullamore, County Offaly, from 15 to 17 September 2026.
No. The competitions and machinery appeal to specialists, but food, crafts, animals, shows, fashion and family activities offer a varied day out for everyone.
An on-site ticket office may operate if the event is not sold out, but entry is not guaranteed. Booking online remains the safest and most economical option.
Several temporary car parks surround the site. Stewards direct each vehicle to the available area corresponding to its arrival route. The walk can be substantial, so wear suitable footwear.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
Ploughing competitions: 10.30am to 2.30pm. Entertainment programme: 10am to 6pm. Fashion shows: 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Entrance gates close at 4pm, and access is not guaranteed after 3pm because of the traffic management plan.
Check the opening hours and admission requirements before you leave, especially during peak season or on Irish public holidays.
Tickets are date-specific and valid only on the selected day. Online booking is recommended to guarantee entry.
