What to expect at the National Ploughing Championships

Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Correspondent

Up to 80,000 people are expected to attend the opening day of this year's National Ploughing Championships (NPC) in Screggan, Co Offaly today.

The 95th renewal will see a significant increase in the number and range of machinery exhibitors, as well as more international competitors.

The centre of the event will be ploughing, but what else is happening across the 700-acre site between today and Thursday?

Although it has essentially evolved into a three-day national festival, it would not be the National Ploughing Championships without some actual ploughing.

180 acres of the site will be used for ploughing competition, and more than 350 competitors will engage in both old and modern methods of ploughing across 34 unique classes.

There is also a significant international dimension to the competition, with the Five Nations Ploughing Competition being held over two days.