AFTER ALMOST two years of meticulous planning the National Ploughing Championships have finally arrived back in Co. Wexford.
Over the next three days, beginning  Tuesday morning, thousands of people are expected to converge on the event at Heathpark, Old Ross, just a few miles from the town.
It’s expected that around 180,000 people will visit the event over the three days and it will genera around Û30m into the local economy.
Many of the businesses in New Ross and the surrounding areas will be advertising their products and services at the event in the trade hall – in an area specially dedicated to local business.
The National Ploughing Association has worked hard at ensuring this year’s event is one of the most spectacular on record. A spokesperson for the organisation confirmed to the New Ross Echo that interest in trade stands at this year’s championship was among the highest in the history of the event.
“There will be over 1,300 trade stands and stalls at the event and while machinery traditionally proves to be the biggest attraction there will be plenty of items on site to keep all members of the family entertained throughout the day,” she said.
Such is the scale of the event that over 400 acres has been set aside for car parking alone with hundreds more reserved for the trade arena stands.
There will be a range of high profile personalities in attendance including An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, President Michael D. Higgins and various sports personalities like Packie Bonner.
Such is the high level of traffic expected to converge on the site the Gardai are appealing for motorists to follow the recommended routes to the event. Full details are available from the Garda website (www.garda.ie) and from the National Ploughing Association’s website (www.npa.ie).
“Patrons are advised to plan their route to the event and to leave plenty of time for their journey as delays are anticipated on all approaches,” said a Garda spokesperson in a statement issued to this newspaper.
“Garda’ will be manning all key intersections approaching the event site and special Garda Operations will be in place in Enniscorthy and New Ross where heavy volumes of traffic are expected,” he added.
The Gardai in New Ross are advising motorists to be aware that the junction at the end of O’Hanrahan Bridge in Rosbercon will be closed to all traffic from 6 a.m. to around 12 noon during each day of the event. The times may vary depending on the volumes of traffic.
Anyone wishing to access Rosbercon will be able to do so by turning up at the Albatros junction on the Waterford Road.
Traffic exiting Ferrymountgarrett Bridge, from the direction of Kilkenny, will be able to turn right to enter the town, however, all Ploughing traffic will be directed to turn left and follow the signs to the site.
North Quay will be closed over the three days and the John Street car park will be open as normal.
A Garda spokesperson expressed gratitude to New Ross Town Council and the local traders who worked with them in developing the Traffic Management Plan for the duration of the event.
“We appreciate there will be some inconvenience caused by the traffic restrictions but we will endeavour to ensure that any inconvenience is kept to a minimum,” said the Garda.

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