Five things to know before you go to Ploughing 2025

1. Tickets

Tickets cost €25 and should be purchased in advance online to guarantee entry on your chosen day. NPA can only guarantee entry for pre-purchased tickets.

Tickets may be available at the gate if the event is not sold out. However, the gate price is €30. Remember, tickets are day specific and visitors are required to attend on the date shown on their ticket. You can either print your ticket in advance of the event or have a screenshot of the ticket barcode on your phone. College students, secondary students and senior citizens get a discounted price of €25 and children under 12 go free once accompanied by a paying adult.

2. What happens if I can’t remember where I parked my car?

The National Ploughing Association (NPA) has put measures in place to assist you in the event you can’t remember where you parked your car. Each car park is colour coded in the event traffic plan and is based on the route you are travelling. For example, vehicles on the brown route will be directed into the brown car park on arrival, and so on. All routes to the event are colour coded with matching car parks for each route. Colour-coded signage is displayed at the entrance and exit of each car park. Take note of the image on the sign when you enter or leave – for example, this could be a blue bear. NPA recommends taking a picture of the car park signage if possible.

3. Can I bring my dog?

Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome at the National Ploughing Championships. However,due to the large crowds of approximately 80,000 people per day, NPA kindly requests that patrons do not bring family pets. For safety reasons, NPA does not allow animals to be kept in vehicles in the car parks, as this poses a risk of heat exhaustion.

4. Is there public transport?

Bus Éireann will run shuttle bus services from Tullamore and Portarlington train stations to the event. Bus Éireann charges a fee for this service. For details on purchasing shuttle bus tickets and operating times, visit www.expressway.ie. Train and shuttle bus combo tickets will also be available to purchase through www.irishrail.ie. NPA recommends checking local media for information on coach companies bringing tours to the event.

5. Can I leave and re-enter?

If you need to leave the event and plan to return on the same day, please ask the gate stewards to stamp your hand when you depart. Without this hand stamp, you will not be able to re-enter the event free of charge.