While a small numbers of exhibitors had to downsize their stand or leave after Wednesday’s wash-out, most are staying put and looking forward to a last dry day for this year’s Ploughing.

Met Éireann is forecasting a sunny day in Co Offaly, with only a risk of occasional showers late in the afternoon. It will be cool, with a maximum temperature of 14°C and moderate winds.

The National Ploughing Association said its staff, along with FRS workers and local farmers and volunteers, worked through the night to restore the site. Tractors and slurry tankers remained active around the field early on Thursday morning where patchy flooding remained.

Piles of mulch have been spread on to the muddiest areas, with exhibitors shovelling more of the wood chip into wheelie bins to bring to their stands as the sun rose over the Ploughing. “Loads of mulch!” was the motto on the Murphy Concrete stand, which was nearly free of mud by 7am.

The car parks were sticky but trafficable in the morning, with stewards directing motorists away from the areas most damaged by Wednesday’s downpours.

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Full coverage: Ploughing 2017