Almost 200,000 people are expected to attend the National Ploughing Championships which get underway in Co Laois this morning.
The three day event is estimated to be worth more than 36 million euro to the local economy and provides a platform to showcase Irish food, farming and culture.
Gardai and event organisers are urging people traveling to Ratheniska to follow the road signs and not to use sat nav to get on site.
Anna May McHugh is Managing director of the NPA - she says she is delighted the Ploughing is coming back to Laois after 70 years:
