With only weeks to go to this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, The Dealer hears that land owned by Michael Lowry, which the Tipperary TD hopes to build a casino on, has been offered to the National Ploughing Association (NPA) for next year’s event.

While rumours will surely abound, one thing is certain – it won’t be returning to Screggan for a fourth year. Landowners in Ratheniska and Athy have received letters from the NPA asking them to register their interest in hosting the ploughing again. With Ireland due to host the World Ploughing in 2021, organisers will be looking to move to a new three-year site in preparation for what could be a four-day event in 2021.