So who here is going to the ploughing championships in 2022?
I wouldn't bother with B&B unless you have an awful distance to travel. Anything within a reasonable distance of the event will be long since booked up, not to mention the price they'll be charging... No point planning a direct route to the site either. The guards have a traffic plan in place, and you'll have to follow that. In fairness, it worked very well the last couple of times I went. As you say, get to Athlone and head towards Tullamore, but expect to be diverted any time after that. Details of the routes are available on the NPA website, but directions are very clear, with a garda presence at most major junctions...
That's the plan here for any show, in and out early, no different than going to the zoo beat the crowds 😄
Last time i went was 2018, we headed out good and early and we were on site just after 7:30 (2 hr drive from the west), not much waiting in Q's and pretty much straight in, left early around 2 pm and no problems getting out, my advice would be to head early.
Might go on the Thursday. Depends on weather
Heading to Ploughing for first time ever this year....young fella has me plagued to go for last year or two!....probably late to the party but appreciate any hardened attenders thoughts. We are going on the Wednesday and will be picking up a friend in Roscommon town so will be taking M6 through Athlone onto Tullamore and Portlaoise. Considering heading down the night before and staying in B+B to break the journey. What kind of queues are there in the morning trying to get parking?....is it best to get there a good while before gates open or are you better to leave it an hour after gates open to miss the rush as regards getting parking etc?
Had hoped to go on Wednesday but looking unlikely with work. Haven't been since about 2018 and am making up the difference with Tullamore and Dualla, two fine days out. FTMTA Grass&Muck also.
I see the Fusion 4 is being unveiled there this year.
I see tickets are supposed to be pre booked online for this year.
I was talking to someone yesterday who was panicking over booking them. For work reasons they still aren’t sure which day they could go and are afraid they’ll be booked out. I smiled at him and assured him not to worry, “the greediest mafia in to country won’t turn anyone away, if you’ve the money they’ll take it and let you in!”
Heading to this on Thursday. If anyone has an auld pass for the day that they're not using I'll take it off their hands for them! Sound.
I'm veering against it. It's daylight robbery at €25 to get in and walk around the area of it being €30. Plus sitting still in queues burning diesel isn't the smartest move either. My last few trips to the ploughing have been disappointing. As others said, just thronged with people meandering this way and that with an emphasis on selling rubbish.
Will go to Tullamore and the FTMTA show
Are you from Cavan? 😜 Seriously though I have no idea what ye are even talking about 😳
My first time at it was 3 years ago and even though it's in my country I don't even know if I'll be going with the cost of fuel
Depends on your bargaining ability. I used to get 5 for €10 but it would take a bit of bargaining.
Can anyone remember how much they were selling the coloured sticks for at the corner of a row, was it 3 for a fiver or a tenner?
Mixed feelings about the ploughing. I think too much effort to bring in non farming folk to browse a load of tat and non farming related stuff.
other than Ag colleges, bus loads of students shouldn’t be allowed.
50/50 on going, will depend on weather.
The Ploughing in 2019 was a big improvement to the mess it had been since 2010 but Tullamore is a way better country show with the emphasis still on farming.
The ploughing championship is a bit like those old Spanish package holidays. Excited to go, more excited to leave.
No ploughing for me this year. Will head to Virginia and Tinahealy shows though.
Could do with 4 days this year after covid, might help reduce the crowds per day and make it a bit easier walk through it.
No fear they would help financially.
Same as that. The mafia wouldn’t hold a candle to that family.
Not going either, not a fan of the McHugh family.. they just come across as greedy especially the way the managed ot a few years ago when there was bad wind yet wouldn't postpone the show for a day until the last minute after a lot of people travelling.. it has left a bad taste...
Not a notion of going, they cram in as many people as possible which ruins it tbh. Tullamore is a much, much better show.
Covid knocked it back
Punchestown is a nice day out. No massive crowds or fighting through crowds, mostly indoors, no silly tat, no long walks to car parks. Normally held in February every second year.
On the 13 - 14 July 2022. That's surprising as they used to be on earlier to do deals with all the contractors etc before the season starts. Must have been put off due to covid. It's the one to go to if you are in the market for something. There's usually a way more of a selection here than at the ploughing
Another option might be the FTMTA machinery show in Punchestown, for those interested in machinery anyway... I was never at it, as it was always held in February in the past. I might try it this year, if things work out..
https://www.facebook.com/events/1134667507107894?ref=newsfeed
I'll go for a look. Probably give most of the time in livestock stands and handling facility stands for setting up the calf shed for next year.
You can add on a saucy entrance fee this year too. Gone up to €25, and that's not concrete yet, it could be €30. All for the privilege of what's nothing more than a giant hawker festival.
The Tullamore Livestock Show is on 14th of August, it's not as bad hawker wise but I'd say it'll be thronged with people this year
Ratheniska in Laois. Kind of disappointing Carlow didn't get a second year.
Where’s it on ?
With hotel room prices, Diesel and inflation in general it is an event I'm likely to skip this year, then again if numbers were well down I'd be more likely to go as it would be better with less people alos.
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