President Catherine Connolly officially opened the 95th National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, near Tullamore, County Offaly, on Tuesday, launching Ireland's premier three-day outdoor agricultural and rural event. Opening the event for the first time in her presidency, President Connolly marked the commencement of a festival expected to draw up to 300,000 visitors between September 15 and September 17.

The 95th edition of the annual gathering features more than 350 competitors participating across 34 distinct ploughing categories, alongside extensive agricultural machinery exhibitions, livestock displays, and rural enterprise showcases. Organisers from the National Ploughing Association, led by Managing Director Anna May McHugh, highlighted the milestone event as a vital gathering for farming families and rural communities following a challenging year marked by difficult weather conditions and rising operational costs.

This year's championships coincide with Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, bringing an expanded international focus to the Offaly site. The event includes major interactive exhibits from the European Commission and Enterprise Ireland's Innovation Arena, which focuses on global agrifood solutions. Visitors over the three days will also see traditional attractions return, including the National Brown Bread Baking Competition, live farming demonstrations, and environmental sustainability showcases.