MOTORISTS TRAVELLING to the National Ploughing Championships today are being warned to add an extra two hours to their journey.
The three-day event is being held in Cardenton, Athy, Co Kildare, and is expected to attract 180,000 over coming days.
It will be opened by President Mary McAleese at noon today.
Up to 70,000 people are expected each day and roads from Portlaoise, Athy and Carlow town will carry the bulk of traffic.
AA Roadwatch controller Nicola Hudson said the championships attract huge crowds every year and pose a challenge for traffic management.
“Considering the rural roads on which the site is located, drivers should allow an extra two hours to reach the event,” she said.
“Commuters not attending the event are advised that the daily journey to and from work is likely to be impacted, as local restrictions around Athy operate 8am to 11am and from 4pm to 7pm daily.”
Gardaí have also warned of delays, and have advised motorists to allow at least an hour at the end of their visit to exit the 15 car parks on site.
They have produced a seven-route traffic plan for the event, which is available on the Garda website.
A spokesman said 150 gardaí will be deployed in Kildare and neighbouring counties to deal with the event.
He advised motorists to examine the Garda traffic plan and choose a route before leaving home.
He also warned that the town of Athy should be avoided.
Farmers travelling to the championships were assured by Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith, yesterday that they will have some money to cover their outing when they return home.
Mr Smith said cheques worth €220 million would be paid out this week and they could expect a further €800 million early next month.
The money, he said, would go to some 100,000 farmers under the disadvantaged areas scheme (DAS) and the payout would be a welcome boost not only for farmers but for the rural economy as a whole. He also said in addition to the DAS money, payments worth €800 million would be sent out as a down payment on the single farm payment from October 16th, six weeks earlier than provided for under the rules of the scheme.
Some 19 All-Ireland ploughing finals will be held at the event including horse ploughing, vintage ploughing and the Queen of the Plough.
Dublin’s Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland dioceses will have an ecumenical stand at the event, writes Patsy McGarry.
There will be readings and prayer throughout the day.
The ecumenical initiative is part of Year of Evangelisation celebrations by the two Churches in Dublin.