This year the Ploughing Championships is again based in Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co Laois, a site that has proven to be one of the best ever in terms of traffic access and general layout. The 700 acre event site is located between the M7 and M9, and at a suitable distance from them to allow a gradual and steady flow.

The gardaí have prepared a detailed traffic plan for the event. At the lunch of the event, they advised visitors to follow the colour-coded routes. They advised against using sat-nav systems to locate the site as some of the minor roads shown on these devices may not be accessible during the event.

Those who attended last year and who remember the route that they took should take the same route this year. There will be gardaí at all major road junctions and drivers are advised to follow their guidance to ensure smooth traffic flow.

There will be adequate car parking at all entry points to the event, as local farmers have provided fields. The key message is to follow instructions and move into car parks in a steady fashion rather than allow a build-up of traffic behind you.

Preparations are in place for possible poor conditions with steel tracking provided at field entry and exit points. The National Ploughing Association has laid in excess of 20km of tracked roadway for the event in an effort to ensure a good experience for all visitors.

And remember the car parking field identities, which are this year again marked by animal types. Remember your animal type or take a picture of the sign with your mobile phone and you will be sure to find your way back to your car for the way home.

Blue Route

Traffic from Cork/Munster

Traffic travelling northbound on the M8 will exit at Junction 4 (Johnstown, Urlingford) and proceed on to 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 of R427 just beside the event grounds in Ratheniska.

Purple Route

Traffic from Dublin/ Leinster/north

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 on to R427 and travel to Stradbally, Co Laois. In Stradbally, traffic will turn right on the N80 for about 400m and will then turn left at Abels Corner onto the R427. Traffic will proceed to parking beside the event grounds.

Parking: Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated purple car parks on the right of the R427 just beside the event grounds in Ratheniska.

Brown Route

Traffic from Limerick/Kerry/southwest

Traffic travelling northbound on the M7 will exit at Junction 17 Togher, Portlaoise, and proceed left on to 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 at junction 18 where it will proceed to parking with the rest of the Limerick/ Kerry/southwest traffic.

Parking: Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated brown carparks on the left side of the R426 at Money Cross beside the event grounds in Ratheniska.

Green route

Traffic from the west

Traffic travelling from the west on the N80 will proceed straight through Mountmellick town onto the R422 as far as Kennels Cross, Emo, Co Laois. At Kennells Cross traffic will turn right on to R419 and travel forward to the R445 (old Dublin road), turning right and proceed towards Portlaoise.

In Kilminchy, Portlaoise traffic will turn left for about 200m and then turn right at Rathbrennan on to the R425 travelling forward to Bloomfield Cross. At Bloomfield Cross traffic will turn left on to the N80 and proceed to Dysart, where it will turn right on to a one-way system along the L7720 as far as Rathineska 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 in Rathineska village beside the event grounds.

Yellow Route

Traffic from southeast/Carlow

Traffic travelling from Carlow and southeast will travel through Simmons Mill crossroads on the N80 and continue towards Stradbally town via the Windy Gap. At Court Square, Stradbally, traffic will turn left on to the L3837 (Timahoe Rd) and go to Timogue crossroad where it will turn right on 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 side of the L7835 beside the event grounds in Ratheniska.

Grey Route

Traffic from southeast (Kilkenny)

Traffic travelling from Kilkenny/southeast along the N78 will turn left at Newtown crossroads and continue forward along the R430 to The Swan.

Just outside The Swan traffic will turn right on to the R426 and continue to Timahoe.

In Timahoe, traffic will be diverted to two routes depending on the volumes:

1) Traffic will be diverted onto the L3838 (Stradbally Rd) towards Timogue cross and left onto the L7835 where it will merge with the yellow route (southeast Carlow traffic). Traffic will proceed to parking as set out in yellow route directions mentioned above.

2) Traffic will continue through Timahoe village on the R426 towards Money Cross. At Loughteague Lane traffic will turn right on to L78354. Traffic will proceed to parking by turning right off the L7837 and proceeding as close to blue car park and yellow car park as possible.

Parking: Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated yellow car park on the left of the L7835 and/or the designated grey car park which is off the right side of the L78354 close to the blue car park.