Those travelling to and from Screggan, Co Offaly, for the 2025 National Ploughing Championships have been urged to exercise patience and to obey the directions of members of An Garda Síochána to help keep roads safe over the course of the event.
Attendees have also been asked to plan their trip in advance of departure and to leave ample time to travel when setting out on their journeys to the site.
The call came from chief superintendent of the Laois and Offaly district Anthony Lonergan at the official launch of Ploughing 2025.
Lonergan pointed out that “routes that are normally quiet on country roads bare the weight of thousands of vehicles” when the National Ploughing Championships take place and that, despite months of detailed planning aimed at minimising disruption, some delays will be inevitable.
“Our duty is to ensure that traffic is managed safely and efficiently with as little disruption to everybody,” the chief superintendent commented.
“No matter how detailed the planning is, there will always be issues that develop on the days and this is where we ask for patience from people who are travelling to the event.
“Not just from our own colleagues and the guards involved in running the traffic to and from the event, but from every driver and passenger and pedestrian who will be attending.
“We ask and call for the public to plan your journey to the best, allow extra time and, most importantly, that you follow the directions that are given by gardaí along roads.”
The unusually high volume of traffic descending on roads in the Screggan area and the unfamiliarity of these roads to many of those attending are risk factors for road safety, Lonergan said.
So, too, will be the distance many travellers will have come before reaching the site and the fact that many drivers will have been travelling since the early hours of the morning to reach the site for kick-off, he added.
Those attending the National Ploughing Championships have been urged to take heed of Garda directions intended on keeping traffic flowing and roads safe.
Patience means safety
Lonergan stated that the build-up to this year’s three-day event had seen extensive co-operation between the National Ploughing Association (NPA), the local authority and the residents around Screggan, with this collaboration being “what makes this such a successful event”.
He went on to explain that his calls for patience, planning and adherence to the directions of Gardaí posted along the routes extend beyond just the hope that cars and buses will be kept moving on to and off the Ploughing site.
“Traffic management is not simply about keeping cars moving, it is also about safety and we recognise that there will be long queues. But patience on our roads translates directly into safety on the ground.
“It is imperative we heed these messages and, hopefully, by doing so, we will have a safe and positive event for all.”
Garda service
The chief superintendent recognised that while the Ploughing represents an opportunity to celebrate rural life, it also gives members of An Garda Síochána the chance to connect with the community they serve.
“The National Ploughing Championships is more than an event. It is a reflection of rural Ireland.
“It is where people meet, where traditions are celebrated and where the next generation learn about resilience, innovation and co-operation,” Lonergan continued.
“From the perspective of An Garda Síochána, it is an opportunity to demonstrate that policy is about service by engaging positively with the public who will be attending the event. By showing patience and respect by working side-by-side with Anna May, her team, the volunteers and the stewards, we will strengthen that bond between ourselves and the community.”
Those travelling to and from Screggan, Co Offaly, for the 2025 National Ploughing Championships have been urged to exercise patience and to obey the directions of members of An Garda Síochána to help keep roads safe over the course of the event.
Attendees have also been asked to plan their trip in advance of departure and to leave ample time to travel when setting out on their journeys to the site.
The call came from chief superintendent of the Laois and Offaly district Anthony Lonergan at the official launch of Ploughing 2025.
Lonergan pointed out that “routes that are normally quiet on country roads bare the weight of thousands of vehicles” when the National Ploughing Championships take place and that, despite months of detailed planning aimed at minimising disruption, some delays will be inevitable.
“Our duty is to ensure that traffic is managed safely and efficiently with as little disruption to everybody,” the chief superintendent commented.
“No matter how detailed the planning is, there will always be issues that develop on the days and this is where we ask for patience from people who are travelling to the event.
“Not just from our own colleagues and the guards involved in running the traffic to and from the event, but from every driver and passenger and pedestrian who will be attending.
“We ask and call for the public to plan your journey to the best, allow extra time and, most importantly, that you follow the directions that are given by gardaí along roads.”
The unusually high volume of traffic descending on roads in the Screggan area and the unfamiliarity of these roads to many of those attending are risk factors for road safety, Lonergan said.
So, too, will be the distance many travellers will have come before reaching the site and the fact that many drivers will have been travelling since the early hours of the morning to reach the site for kick-off, he added.
Those attending the National Ploughing Championships have been urged to take heed of Garda directions intended on keeping traffic flowing and roads safe.
Patience means safety
Lonergan stated that the build-up to this year’s three-day event had seen extensive co-operation between the National Ploughing Association (NPA), the local authority and the residents around Screggan, with this collaboration being “what makes this such a successful event”.
He went on to explain that his calls for patience, planning and adherence to the directions of Gardaí posted along the routes extend beyond just the hope that cars and buses will be kept moving on to and off the Ploughing site.
“Traffic management is not simply about keeping cars moving, it is also about safety and we recognise that there will be long queues. But patience on our roads translates directly into safety on the ground.
“It is imperative we heed these messages and, hopefully, by doing so, we will have a safe and positive event for all.”
Garda service
The chief superintendent recognised that while the Ploughing represents an opportunity to celebrate rural life, it also gives members of An Garda Síochána the chance to connect with the community they serve.
“The National Ploughing Championships is more than an event. It is a reflection of rural Ireland.
“It is where people meet, where traditions are celebrated and where the next generation learn about resilience, innovation and co-operation,” Lonergan continued.
“From the perspective of An Garda Síochána, it is an opportunity to demonstrate that policy is about service by engaging positively with the public who will be attending the event. By showing patience and respect by working side-by-side with Anna May, her team, the volunteers and the stewards, we will strengthen that bond between ourselves and the community.”
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