STORM TRACKER: Follow 'Storm Amy' as it bears down on Ireland amid brutal forecast
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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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MORE than 66,000 people, from all parts of the country, descended on Ratheniska in County Laois this Tuesday for the first day of the National Ploughing Championships.
There were lengthy traffic delays early in the morning and it was a day for wellies and umbrellas for those who braved the elements to attend the event which is one of the biggest outdoor events in Europe.
Following day 1, the organisers confirmed that 66,250 people passed through the gates despite the poor weather.
And the official attendance figures are in… a total of 66,250 passed through the gates for the first day of #Ploughing2023 pic.twitter.com/4FXU0qhPHY
— National Ploughing (@NPAIE) September 19, 2023
Officially opening the three-day event, which is taking place on a 700-acre site, President Michael D Higgins encouraged farmers to explore the many ways they could help achieve "the balanced social and economic goals" he said we should all be striving for.
He said life in rural Ireland was not just a "zone of production" and he called for greater regionalisation.
The National Ploughing Championships continue on Wednesday and Thursday.
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