Ploughing Championships Draws 243,000 Visitors to Tullamore as Anna May McHugh Reflects on 14 Million Euro Rural Showcase
The 95th National Ploughing Championships at Screggan, Tullamore, County Offaly, attracted 243,000 visitors over three days from 15 to 17 September, with National Ploughing Association managing director Anna May McHugh describing the event as a 14 million euro economic showcase for rural Ireland that has grown from a simple ploughing competition into one of Europe's largest outdoor agricultural gatherings — and a barometer of the health and confidence of the Irish farming community.
Background
The National Ploughing Championships is one of the most remarkable events in the Irish calendar — a gathering that defies easy categorisation. It is part agricultural competition, part trade fair, part political forum, and part social occasion, drawing farmers, politicians, business people, and curious visitors from across Ireland and beyond. The event has been held annually since 1931, with the exception of the years disrupted by the Second World War and the Covid-19 pandemic, and it has grown steadily from a modest county competition into a national institution. Anna May McHugh, who has led the National Ploughing Association for decades, is one of the most respected figures in Irish rural life. Her stewardship of the championships has transformed it from a regional event into a national showcase, and her ability to attract government ministers, European commissioners, and major corporate sponsors to the Ploughing has been central to its growth. The 2026 championships, held at the Screggan site in Tullamore, was the 95th edition of the event and was held during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union — a context that added an additional layer of significance to the gathering.
Key Developments
The 2026 championships attracted 243,000 visitors over the three days — 77,000 on the first day, 91,000 on the second, and 75,000 on the final day. The event was officially opened by President Catherine Connolly, and European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen attended, engaging with farmers and exhibitors to discuss the future of the Common Agricultural Policy and food security. The Government of Ireland village featured a Your Government, Your Community theme, with interactive demonstrations on climate action, housing, and agricultural policy. The Palestinian ambassador to Ireland visited the Ploughing, praising Irish culture and expressing solidarity with Irish farmers — a visit that attracted significant attention given the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Ireland's prominent role in international advocacy for Palestinian rights. McHugh, speaking at the close of the event, reflected on the championships' evolution from a simple ploughing competition into a 14 million euro rural showcase. The 2027 championships will be held at Boherkill Farm in Rathangan, County Kildare.
Why It Matters
The Ploughing Championships matters for reasons that go beyond its economic impact. It is one of the few events in Ireland that brings together the full spectrum of rural life — from tillage farmers and livestock producers to agri-food companies, rural service providers, and government agencies — in a single space. The 2026 championships took place against a backdrop of significant pressure on Irish farmers, with rising fuel and fertiliser costs, the carbon tax increase due on 14 October, and ongoing uncertainty about the future of the Common Agricultural Policy all weighing on the farming community. The Ploughing provided a forum for farmers to voice their concerns directly to government ministers and European officials, and the presence of Commissioner Hansen was seen as an important signal that the EU is listening to the concerns of Irish farmers.
Local Impact
In County Offaly and the wider midlands, the economic impact of the Ploughing Championships is felt across a wide range of sectors. Hotels in Tullamore, Portlaoise, Athlone, and Mullingar were fully booked for the duration of the event, and local restaurants, pubs, and retail businesses reported significantly increased turnover. Bus Eireann operated additional services from Dublin, Cork, and Galway to the site, and the National Transport Authority confirmed that public transport usage to the event was up 15% on the previous year.
What's Next
The 2027 National Ploughing Championships will be held at Boherkill Farm in Rathangan, County Kildare. Planning for the event is already underway, with the NPA working with Kildare County Council and local stakeholders to prepare the site. The 82nd Northern Ireland International Ploughing Championships will be held on 25 and 26 September at Royal Hillsborough, County Down. Anna May McHugh has indicated that she will continue to develop the Ploughing as a platform for engagement between the farming community, government, and European institutions.
