Offaly's economy showcased at Ploughing Championships

More than 275,000 people are expected to have attended the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, close to Tullamore in Co Offaly, by their conclusion today.

The three-day event is estimated to be worth over €50 million to the economy and, locally, it has huge benefits, putting Offaly and the midlands region firmly on the map.

On Sunday evening, Clara's Shane Lowry put the county in the headlines after he won the Irish Open at Doonbeg in Co Clare.

On Tuesday, political leaders, the country's media and over 77,000 people descended on the site for the first day of the Ploughing Championships.

"Our accommodation will be 100% full for four days this week, and in the surrounding 30-40 miles it will be the same," explained Philip O'Brien, General Manager of the Tullamore Court Hotel.