National Ploughing traffic update as gardaí advise attendees how best to get to Ratheniska site

Gardaí have urged people going to Ploughing in Ratheniska to stick to the designated routes to take security precautions on site.

A substantial Garda presence will be police the Laois event and on roads leading to the site from all around of the National Ploughing Championships which takes place this week.

Gardaí have published a colour-coded traffic plan with Green, Blue, Purple, Yellow, Grey and Brown routes which people coming from right around are requested to use to get to the site.

While there will be direction signs for traffic in Laois, Gardaí say there will be notices on roads outside the county to guide people to the big event. Laois Offaly Garda Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Graham Kavanagh is on duty during the event and has worked on planning.

While there are no new traffic measures this year, he urges people on the way to the site to be patient and follow the signs, gardaí and stewards, not their sat navs.

“Go to where you are sent to rather than where you think you need to go…Be patient with us,” he said.

He added that this is important on the approach routes getting through towns like Mountmellick where there will be a traffic diversions in place.

“There is a reason why people are being diverted and that is to get people to the event but also to reduce traffic volumes in the towns and villages where the community is trying to get on to their day-to-day business,” he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Ploughing site. Picture: Alf Harvey

Given the huge crowd expected, some local traffic disruption is possible. Sgt Kavanagh said Gardaí will work with the communities around Laois.

“We are conscious that there is heavy traffic volumes over the three days and we work with residents in the area but there are times when routes are curtailed,” he said. 

While the ploughing is not associated with crime, Sgt Kavanagh urged the public to ensure they are security-conscious. He said theft is a risk at the event.

“Do not keep anything valuable in your car which you should lock and secure and know where it is,” he said.

He also urged people to be conscious of their personal security on site because of the risk of pickpockets and other thieves. For people working at the event, Sgt Kavanagh urged them not to leave valuable equipment unsecured or unattended in tents at the end of each day.

As to the potential for public order incidents given that alcohol is served, Garda Kavanagh said Garda will be policing behaviour.

“If you are going to the event, enjoy it but don’t overconsume alcohol,” he said.

The garda advised to note their car park and drop a pin in Google maps when parking to find your vehicle on the way out of the site. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

If bringing children, Garda Kavanagh advised the parents and guardians to use the wristbands available. He said this would help gardaí find children quickly if they get lost.

Apart from a garda presence, he said there will be emergency service personnel on duty to deal with any unforeseen incidents or health issues. 

“Look for help. Anyone in uniform will get help to you,” he said.

The Garda will have a stand at the event while the traffic plan is on the Garda website HERE.