There is only hours to go until the 2017 National Ploughing Championships kick off in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Those attending Ploughing 2017 are advised to bring their wellies, as parts of the site have become mucky and sticky.

However, the site is holding up well overall.

Tuesday is forecast to be a largely dry day, but with the chance of the odd light shower.

Met Éireann has said that Wednesday will be a rather breezy, dull and damp day to begin with.

There will be outbreaks of rain, heavy and persistent for a time, with a risk of spot flooding in places.

For Thursday, a return to drier weather is forecast for the morning, with showers again from the afternoon.

This year will see 1,700 trade exhibitors spread across two million square feet of trade space at the Ploughing.

Thousands are expected to throng to the Tullamore site from tomorrow for the biggest day in the Irish farming calendar.

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