Traffic plans for National Ploughing Championships
The National Ploughing Championships take place between September 16 and18th in Screggan, Tullamore. Pic: iStock
An Garda Síochána has announced details of the traffic management situation for the National Ploughing Championships.
A must in the calendar of Rural Ireland, the ploughing will begin tomorrow, Tuesday September 15th, and continues until Thursday 17th September 2026.
Gardaí are warning of the partial road closure of the N52 between Tullamore and Birr, as well local road closure of all approach roads to Mucklagh village and event site at Screggan, Tullamore, County Offaly.
Gardaí are advising road users to avoid using satnav and other similar devices close to the event site. Significant updates on the event will be posted on An Garda Síochána social media channels.
“With an anticipated in excess of 80,000 persons attending this event, a traffic management plan and parking plan is in place for each day,” An Garda Síochána said. “The assistance of all road users is required to allow traffic to move freely to and from the event during these times.”
Gardaí are urging road users not attending the National Ploughing Championships to avoid the N52 between Tullamore and Birr. Road users are also asked to avoid all approach roads to Mucklagh village, and the event site at Screggan, from Tuesday, 15th September at 6am until Thursday, 17th of September at 8pm.
For those attending the National Ploughing Championships, please view in advance the Traffic Management Plan on the and websites for the correct route to take, depending on where you are travelling from.
“It is essential that drivers do not use other satnav-type devices as they may not have this up-to-date information on the specific traffic diversions for this event,” the gardaí said. “Over the course of the event, persons are asked to listen and comply with any direction by An Garda Síochána or stewards.”
The Traffic Management Plan includes an interactive map, which can be viewed on any internet-enabled device and is available at the following link:
This Traffic Management Plan includes routes to the event broken down into a colour coordinated system. The colour coordinated system will help with parking in the correct zone. The following websites also provide valuable additional information for persons planning to attend the National Ploughing Championships 2026: ; and .
