National Ploughing Championships 2019 in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Carlow from 17-19/9/19

The National Ploughing Championships 2019 will take place in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co. Carlow from 17th to 19th September.  For all those travelling to the event please allow additional journey time, follow the directional signage and the instructions of Garda personnel/stewards along the route and enjoy your day.    

Traffic Management Plan:

Gardaí are advising motorists to:

• Identify and follow the traffic management plan for your best route to the event.
• Follow event signage (route and carpark). 
• Do not follow directions on Sat Nav devices, the specific routes are available on your Sat Nav using this link. 
• Follow the directions of Gardaí and stewards
• If you have a vehicle pass make sure it is clearly displayed on the front window,
• FBD "Keeping you Safe" child safety wristbands at EVERY entrance in the event and within the event grounds,
• Note the colour of the overhead flying blimp on the entrance of your car park  to find it easily on exit.

Please note the following road restrictions:

For the duration of the event there will be road closures on the N80 (from Graiguenaspidogue to Killnock, Co. Carlow) from Monday 16th September at 10am to Friday 20th at 5pm. 

Junction 5 Exits off the M9  Motorway at Rathcorgue will also be closed to traffic from 4am on the 17th of September for the duration of the event. 

N80 Road Closures Video available here:

Shuttle bus: 

For those travelling by train a shuttle bus service will be available from Carlow train Station directly to the event site.  A limited local bus service will operate from Braun on the O'Brien road to the event site. Limited parking is available.

Motorists can download the Traffic App for the event HERE for live traffic updates.

Blue Route - Traffic travelling from Cork/Munster area

Motorists travelling from the Cork/Munster Area are advised to exit the M8 at Junction 4, Urlingford and to follow the signs for the event through Durrow, Ballyragget, and the Kilkenny Ring Road and join the M9 at Junction 8, signposted Dublin M9.  Motorists will continue along the M9 and exit at Junction 6, Powerstown, Carlow and will be directed by Gardai to the Event Site, Blue Car Park.

On the homeward journey motorists will be directed to the M9 at Junction 5, Rathcrogue, travel to Kilkenny and exit the M9 at Junction 8, signposted Kilkenny N10, and follow the Ballyragget, Durrow route to the M8 for Cork.

Yellow Route – Traffic travelling from Waterford

Motorists travelling from Waterford are advised to exit the M9 at Junction 9, signposted N10, Kilkenny and to follow the signs for the event through Bennettsbridge, Gowran and Borris and will be directed by Gardai to the Event Site, Yellow Car Park.

On the return journey motorists will be directed on to the M9 at Junction 7, Paulstown for Waterford.

Brown Route – Traffic travelling from Limerick

Motorists travelling from Limerick are advised to exit the M7 at Junction 21, Borris-In-Ossory and to follow the signs for the event through Ballacolla, Abbeyleix, Newtown and Leighlinbridge and will be directed by Gardai to the Event Site, Brown Car Park. 

Purple Route – Traffic travelling from Dublin/Northern Route 

Motorists travelling from Dublin/The North will exit the M7 at Junction 11 onto the M9, signposted Waterford and exit the M9 at Junction 4, Prumpestown and will be directed by Gardai to the Event Site, Purple Car Park.

On the return journey motorists will be directed on to the M9 at Junction 5, Rathcrogue.

Green Route – Traffic travelling from Galway/West

Motorists travelling from Galway/The West will exit the M6 at Junction 5 and travel through Tullamore, Mountmellick, Athy, Castledermot and onwards towards Tullow and will be directed by Gardai to the Event Site, Green Car Park.  

Grey Route - Traffic travelling from Wexford / Wicklow

Motorists travelling from Wexford will travel on the N80 through Bunclody and Ballon and will be directed by Gardai to the Event Site, Grey Car Park. 

Motorists travelling from Wicklow will travel on the N81 if travelling from Blessington/Baltinglass area to Tullow and will be directed by Gardai to the Event Site, Orange Car Park.  Motorists also have the option of travelling on the M11 and exit onto the new N80 link road at Enniscorthy and join the Wexford Route to the Event Site. 

Route Map

1 Cork/Munster Route: Urlingford J5, M6.

2 Waterford Route: J9, M9.

3. Limerick Route Sign: Borris –In-Ossory J21, M7.

4 Dublin/The North Sign: J4, M9.

5 Galway/The West Sign: Kilbeggan J5, M6.