A total of 291,500 thronged to Screggan in Tullamore over the three days of the 2017 National Ploughing Championships.

On the final day, 92,000 people went through the gates.

The rain held off for the day, with sunny skies and some cloud replacing Wednesday’s downpours. Tractors and slurry tanks were brought in on Wednesday to help deal with the spot flooding the rain caused around walkways and stands.

The NPA staff worked through the night to get as much water out of the site as possible.

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, attended on the final day, his first Ploughing Championships as Taoiseach.

Speaking at the Irish Farmers Journal demo area, he said that he may be a Dublin Taoiseach, but is in touch with rural Ireland.

The European Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, also attended the final day of the Ploughing.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal he said that beef would be included in the controversial Mercosur trade deal.

Next year’s event

A venue for next year’s Ploughing wasn’t confirmed on the final day, but it is expected to be announced in the coming days.

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