The National Ploughing Championships 2026 have opened in Screggan, Co Offaly, bringing farming, rural enterprise, technology, fashion and family entertainment together for one of Ireland’s biggest annual events. Organisers expect about 250,000 visitors to attend during the week, with more than 1,700 stands spread across the 700-acre site.
From a father’s winning welly throw to robot demonstrations and a packed Irish fashion show, the opening day offered a snapshot of how the event continues to combine traditional country life with modern innovation.
National Ploughing Championships open in Co Offaly
The 2026 championships are taking place in Screggan, where large crowds began navigating a tightly organised network of stands, demonstrations and entertainment areas. The event remains a major meeting point for the agricultural sector, but its appeal extends well beyond farming equipment and rural business.
Visitors can explore agricultural machinery, livestock-related services, food producers, local businesses, public information stands and entertainment. The scale of the site means that moving between different parts of the show can take considerable time, even when destinations are only a few hundred metres apart.
- Location: Screggan, Co Offaly
- Expected attendance: approximately 250,000 people
- Site size: about 700 acres
- Exhibitors: more than 1,700 stands
- Highlights include agriculture, fashion, family activities and robotics
Welly-throwing provides one of the day’s light-hearted highlights
Among the more informal competitions, Shane Donlon from Castlerea, Co Roscommon, won attention after producing the standout throw in the welly-throwing contest. His son, Eoghan, watched as the family celebrated the result and the prize that followed.
Donlon said he adjusted his approach after feeling a slight hamstring problem during his first attempt. Rather than risk an injury, he moderated his second throw before committing to his final effort. The decision paid off when he aimed for a sign and secured the winning result, along with a commemorative T-shirt.
Children also joined the competition. Seven-year-old Mikey Cully took part alongside his eight-year-old sister, Lillian. A wayward adult-sized boot struck Lillian during his attempt, although the siblings quickly moved past the mishap and returned to the family activity.
Irish fashion takes centre stage at the agricultural event
The championships also featured a fashion show showcasing clothing from Irish designers and local boutiques. A tent hosting the runway attracted a steady queue, offering visitors a different kind of spectacle from the machinery and agricultural displays elsewhere on the grounds.
Laura Kelly, who attended with her mother Sandra, said the event’s fashion offering was a welcome addition. The pair had travelled to the show partly to support Laura’s brother, who was performing with traditional folk-fusion group Ruaile Buaile at one of the music tents.
Country clothing remained a defining part of the visitor experience. Jerseys and wellington boots were described as the practical style of choice, while some attendees added what was described as a more polished “country chic” look.
Robodogs highlight the future of farming technology
At the Engineers Ireland stand, visitors watched a humanoid robot and a dog-like robot perform automated movements. The robot known as Phi-Do was programmed by the organisation and quickly became one of the more unusual attractions on the site.
The demonstration also raised a wider question about how technology may shape Irish agriculture. Engineers Ireland policy officer Keelan Keoghan said farming has a strong history of adopting technology, although new systems can take time to become widely established.
Robotics and drones could eventually support agricultural work in areas such as monitoring, surveying, logistics and precision operations. The demonstrations at the championships presented those possibilities in an accessible way, allowing visitors to see emerging technology rather than simply hear about it.
What visitors can expect at the championships
People attending the event should allow plenty of time to move around the grounds. With thousands of visitors arriving across the week, popular attractions and demonstrations may become busy, particularly during peak daytime hours.
- Wear suitable footwear for walking across large outdoor areas.
- Plan which stands, competitions and performances you want to visit first.
- Allow extra time for queues and movement between sections.
- Check official event information for travel, access and weather updates.
- Families should agree a meeting point in case members become separated.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the National Ploughing Championships being held?
The 2026 event is being held at Screggan in Co Offaly.
How many people are expected to attend?
Approximately 250,000 visitors are expected during the week.
What can visitors see besides agricultural displays?
The event includes fashion, music, family competitions, technology demonstrations, local businesses and food-related attractions.
Were robots demonstrated at the event?
Yes. Engineers Ireland demonstrated both a humanoid robot and a dog-like robot, including the programmed robo-dog Phi-Do.
Why the opening day matters
The first day of the National Ploughing Championships showed why the event remains such a significant fixture in Ireland’s calendar. Its core purpose is rooted in agriculture, but the crowds were also drawn to entertainment, community connections, fashion and a glimpse of technologies that may influence farming in the years ahead.
For visitors, the takeaway is simple: the championships are far more than a machinery show. Whether the attraction is a competitive welly throw, an Irish fashion runway or a robot performing in a busy exhibition tent, the event reflects both the traditions and the changing face of rural Ireland.
The National Ploughing Championships 2026 have begun with a mixture of heritage, innovation and spectacle—making the Offaly gathering one of the key Ireland Headlines this week.