'Don't use Sat-Navs!' - Full Ploughing traffic plan for each area of the country

Gardaí have warned drivers heading to the National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, Co Offaly from September 16-18 to avoid using Sat-Navs.

The call came as a major and detailed colour-coded traffic plan was released, showing drivers the routes they should take from each part of the country.

It is anticipated that in excess of 80,000 persons will attend the event each day.

Gardaí are urging road users not attending the National Ploughing Championships to avoid the N52 between Tullamore and Birr. Road users are also asked to avoid all approach roads to Mucklagh village and the event site at Screggan from Tuesday, September 16 at 6am to Thursday, September 18 at 8pm.

"For those attending the National Ploughing Championships, please view in advance the Traffic Management Plan below for the correct route to take depending on where you are travelling from," gardaí said.

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"It is essential that drivers don't use satnav-type devices as they may not have the up-to-date information on the specific traffic diversions for this event. Over the course of the event persons are asked to listen to and comply with any direction by An Garda Síochána or stewards," they added.

BLUE ROUTE - Traffic from Cork / Munster

• Traffic travelling Northbound on the M8 will exit at Junction 6 (Horse & Jockey) and proceed towards Thurles where Gardai will divert traffic along the event route onto Templemore and Roscrea along the N62. At Birr traffic will join the N52 travelling northbound via Kilcormac and Blueball and onto the event site at Screggan, Tullamore.

Parking:

• Patrons on this route will park in the designated BLUE car parks on the left and right hand side beside the event grounds.

GREY ROUTE - Traffic from South East (Kilkenny)

• Traffic travelling from Kilkenny/South East will travel North along the N77 via Durrow and Abbeyleix before arriving at Portlaoise where traffic will be directed left at Junction 17 through Clonminham and onwards to Fairgreen Portlaoise, travelling along the N80 to Mountmellick.

At Derryclooney Bridge, Mountmellick traffic will be directed left and onto the R422 through Rosenallis and Clonaslee. At Coolagh Cross traffic will be directed right onto the R421 (Killurin Road). At Killurin Cross traffic will be directed left towards the event site at Screggan, Tullamore and parking beside the event site.

Parking:

• Patrons on this route will park in the designated GREY Car Parks beside the event grounds at Screggan.

YELLOW ROUTE - Traffic from the South East (Carlow)

• Traffic travelling from Carlow and the South East will travel on the N80 towards Portlaoise.

At Bloomfield Roundabout, Portlaoise traffic will be directed right onto Rathbrennan and onto Junction 16 (M7). Traffic will then turn left to the Heath and left again at the Wheel Inn pub (sign-posted Portarlington). Traffic will proceed to Kennells Cross and be turned left and travel towards Mountmellick town. All traffic will be directed through Mountmellick town and onto Tullamore via Killeigh. Traffic will then proceed to parking beside the event grounds.

Parking:

• Patrons on this route will park in the designated 'YELLOW Car Parks beside the event grounds at Screggan.

BROWN ROUTE - Traffic from Limerick, Kerry and Southwest:

• Traffic travelling Northbound on the M7 will exit at Junction 26 (Nenagh South) and will proceed on the N52 towards Borrisokane. In Borrisokane traffic will take the N62 (Signposted Portumna) and after 5km traffic will turn right onto the R438 to Cloghan. In Cloghan traffic will turn onto the R357 before being directed to parking beside the event grounds.

Parking:

• Patrons on this route will park in the designated BROWN Car Parks beside the event grounds at Screggan.

PURPLE ROUTE - Traffic from Dublin

• Traffic from Dublin to use the M4/M6 Westbound to Junction 5 on the M6 (Kilbeggan) and then onto the N52 towards Tullamore for 4km, where at Durrow turn right onto L2005 (passing GAA Pitch) and travel for 2km, then turn left onto the R420 and travel for 2km to avail of a shuttle service to the site.

Parking:

• Patrons on this route will park in the designated PURPLE'Car Park .

PINK ROUTE - Traffic from the North

• Traffic travelling from the North will travel via Mullingar and onto the N52 towards Tyrellspass. Traffic will be turned right into Tyrellspass Village and on to Kilbeggan Village via R446 (old N6). Once through Kilbeggan Village turn left for Clara onto the R436. On the approach to Clara traffic will turn left onto the L2009 before joining the R420 Tullamore to Clara Road.

Traffic will then turn right at Coolnahiley and be directed to parking beside the event grounds.

Parking:

• Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated PINK Car Parks beside the event grounds at Screggan.

GREEN ROUTE - Traffic from the West

• Traffic travelling from the West will exit M6 motorway at Junction 6 (Horseleap, Clara) and will be directed towards Moate town. Traffic will then be directed left onto the Ballycumber Road. At Ballycumber traffic will join the R436 (Ballycumber to Clara Road) before turning right on towards Rahan Village. At Rahan Village traffic will be directed onto the L2011 towards the event site and parking.

Parking:

• Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated GREEN Car Parks on the right hand side of the L2011 just beside the event grounds at Screggan.

ORANGE ROUTE - Traffic from the North

• Traffic travelling Westbound along the M7 Motorway will exit at Junction 15 (Cappakeel), turning right over the Motorway and onto the R445 (Old Dublin Road). At New Inn Roundabout traffic will proceed through Emo Village and onto Kennells Cross where it will turn right and be directed to Garryhinch Cross and onto Cloneygowan Village. Traffic will then follow the R420 to the event site.

Parking:

• Patrons travelling this route will park in the designated ORANGE Car Parks .

*ALL RELEVANT JUNCTION AND CAR PARK ENTRANCES/EXITS WILL HAVE APPROPRIATE SIGNAGE AND WILL BE CONTROLLED BY GARDA PERSONNEL.

EXHIBITOR FIELD PASS PARKING

Exhibitors displaying FIELD PASS will be directed to the Exhibition up to 8am ONLY. No vehicle movement is permitted off site before 7pm. If you need to leave trade arena before 7pm, do not park on exhibition site or in the indoor exhibitor designated parking zone. These restrictions are a condition set by the emergency services and may be extended at the discretion of Gardai.

EXHIBITOR/OFFICIAL PARKING

BLUE ROUTE Exhibitors on this route will proceed along the 'Blue Traffic 'Route'. Exhibitors will then park on the right hand side of the N52 just after the 'Blue Car Park' adjacent to the event site.

GREY ROUTE Exhibitors on this route will proceed along the 'Grey Traffic 'Route' where they will be directed to the Exhibitors Parking Section located in the 'Grey Car Park' adjacent to the event site.

YELLOW ROUTE Exhibitors on this route will proceed along 'Yellow Traffic 'Route' where they will be directed to Exhibitors Parking located in the 'Yellow 'Car Park' adjacent to the event site.

GREEN ROUTE Exhibitors on this route will proceed along the Green Traffic 'Route'. Just after the Green Car Parks , Exhibitors will turn left off the L2011 and be directed to Exhibitor parking adjacent to the event site.

ORANGE ROUTE Exhibitors on this route will proceed along the Orange 'Traffic Route' to Kennells Cross where it will merge with the 'Yellow Route and travel on to the designated Exhibitor parking on the 'Yellow Route adjacent to the event site.

BROWN ROUTE Exhibitors on this route will proceed along the 'Brown Route'.

At Blue Ball Exhibitors will merge onto the 'Blue Traffic 'Route' and be directed to Exhibitor parking located on the right hand side of the N52 adjacent to the event site.

PURPLE ROUTE Exhibitors on this route will proceed along the 'Purple Traffic 'Route'. At Ballyduff, Exhibitors will turn right onto the R420 where they will merge with the 'Pink Route' at Coolnahiley. From here Exhibitors will be directed onto the designated Exhibitor parking adjacent to the event site.

PINK ROUTE Exhibitors on this route will proceed along the 'Pink Traffic 'Route'. Exhibitors will be directed to parking situated after the pink car parks adjacent to the event site.

COMPETITORS PARKING

The Ploughing competitors’ Assembly Area is located of the L2011 (Claragh Cross) Screggan, Tullamore. This entrance will be clearly marked. The following will apply in relation to Ploughing

Competitors:

BLUE ROUTE Competitors travelling the 'Blue Route' (Cork/Munster) will turn off the N52 at Screggan (sign-posted Mucklagh). At Screggan Cross competitors will turn left, travel 300m to Claragh Cross and turn right to the Assembly Yard and parking.

GREY ROUTE Competitors travelling the 'Grey Route' (South East/Kilkenny) route will via Screggan Cross to Claragh Cross and turn right to the Assembly Yard and parking.

YELLOW ROUTE Competitors travelling the 'Yellow Route (South East/Carlow) will join the N52 at Clonminch, Tullamore where they will travel along the town by-pass towards Mucklagh. At Mucklagh they will proceed through the village, turn right at Screggan Cross, travel 300m to Claragh Cross and turn right to the Assembly Yard and parking.

BROWN ROUTE Competitors travelling the 'Brown Route' (Limerick/Kerry) will turn off the N52 at Screggan (signposted Mucklagh). At Screggan Cross competitors will turn left, travel 300m to Claragh Cross and turn right to the Assembly Yard and parking.

PURPLE ROUTE Competitors travelling the 'Purple Route' (Dublin) will turn right at Ballyduff (R420) onto Clara/Tullamore Road where it will proceed to Coolnahiley. At Coolnahiley competitors will turn left and travel towards Ballinamere. At Ballinamere GAA pitch competitors will turn right on towards Rahan village and join the 'Green Route' at Rahan and proceed as per 'Green'
'Route' to Claragh Cross, turning left to the Assembly Yard and parking.

GREEN ROUTE Competitors travelling the 'Green Route' (West) will arrive at Rahan and travel the L2011 onwards to Claragh Cross turning left to the Assembly Yard and parking.

PINK ROUTE Competitors travelling the 'Pink Route' (North) will turn right off the R420 Tullamore/Clara Road at Coolnahiley. Competitors will then travel to Ballinamere. At Ballinamere GAA pitch competitors will turn right on towards Rahan village and join the 'Green Route' at Rahan and proceed as per 'Green Route' to Claragh Cross, turning left to the Assembly Yard and parking.

ORANGE ROUTE Competitors travelling the 'Orange Route (Kildare / Junction 15, M7) will proceed to Kennells Cross where it will merge with the 'Yellow Route . This traffic will travel as per detailed in the 'Yellow Route above.

HUNT CHASE PARKING

The Grounds for the Hunt Chase are located on the L2011 (Mucklagh/Rahan Road) marked Entrance Gate No. 5 The following will apply in relation to Hunt Chase Competitors:

BLUE ROUTE Participants from the 'Blue Route' (Cork/Munster) will turn off the N52 at Screggan (signposted Mucklagh). At Screggan Cross participants will turn left, travel 200m to Gate No. 5 and enter grounds on the right.

BROWN ROUTE Participants from the 'Brown Route' (Limerick/Kerry) will turn off the N52 at Screggan (signposted Mucklagh). At Screggan Cross participants will turn left, travel 200m to Gate No. 5 and enter grounds on the right.

GREY ROUTE Participants from the 'Grey Route' (South East/Kilkenny) will travel on to Screggan Cross onto the L2011 entering the grounds on the right hand side at Gate 5.

YELLOW ROUTE Participants from the 'Yellow Route (South East/Carlow) will join the N52 at Clonminch, Tullamore where they will travel along the town by-pass towards Mucklagh. At Mucklagh they will proceed through the village, turn right at Screggan Cross onto the L2011 entering the grounds on the right at Gate 5.

ORANGE ROUTE Participants from the 'Orange Route (Kildare/Junction 15, M7) will proceed to Kennells Cross where it will merge with the 'Yellow Route. Participants will travel as per detailed in the 'Yellow Route above.

GREEN ROUTE Participants from the 'Green Route' (West) will travel to Rahan Village and onwards to the L2011 entering the grounds on the left hand side at Gate 5.

PURPLE ROUTE Participants from the 'Purple Route' (Dublin) will turn right at Ballyduff R420 onto the Clara/Tullamore Road where it will proceed to Coolnahiley. At Coolnahiley participants will turn left and travel towards Ballinamere. At Ballinamere GAA Pitch participants will turn right towards Rahan Village and join the 'Green Route' at Rahan. Participants will then travel the L2011 entering the grounds on the left hand side at Gate 5.

PINK ROUTE Participants from the 'Pink Route' (North) will turn right off the R420 (Tullamore/Clara) Road at Coolnahiley. At Coolnahiley participants will turn left and travel towards Ballinamere. At Ballinamere GAA Pitch participants will turn right towards Rahan Village and join the 'Green' 'Route' at Rahan. Participants will then travel the L2011 entering the grounds on the left hand side at Gate 5.

DISABILITY PARKING

• All such traffic from the PURPLE , YELLOW , BLUE , GREY , PINK , GREEN and BROWN' routes will be directed to the designated disability parking areas within the Exhibitor Car Parks, adjacent to the site.

BUS, TAXI & SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE

BUS PARKING:

Bus drivers MUST have the contact information of their passengers to arrange reloading in the evenings.

• All Buses on Brown / Blue route will be directed into Bus Park 2 following Limerick traffic into the designated hard core quarry area and also following Munster traffic into Bus Park 3 at Mucklagh Soccar club, just off the N52 bypass entering Mucklagh Village.

• All Buses travelling on the Purple / Pink routes will continue on to the N52 (Mucklagh ByPass) and park across from the event site in Bus Park 1.

• All Buses travelling on the Orange , Yellow and Grey Routes will travel to Mountmellick where they will proceed to Tullamore via the N.80. They will then be directed to Bus Parking on the N52 (Mucklagh By-Pass) across from the event site in Bus Park 1.

• All Buses travelling on the Green Route will exit the M6 at Junction 5 Kilbeggan and proceed on the N52 to Mucklagh By-Pass and park across from the event site in Bus Park 1

BUS EIREANN TRAIN STATION SHUTTLE BUS:

A Shuttle Bus service operated by Bus Eireann will be in operation from Tullamore and Portarlington Train Stations. The times of this service will operate to suit train times; with pick up times from Tullamore Train Station starting at 7.00am until 12.30pm and from Portarlington Train Station starting at 6.30am until 12.15pm. The Shuttle Bus service will start return runs from the site to Tullamore Train Station at 14.40pm up until 19.00pm, and to Portarlington Train Station at 13.30pm up until 19.20pm. The drop off and pick up point is located near the event entrance along the N52. Purchase Shuttle Bus tickets on expressway.ie or Combi Rail/Shuttle Bus tickets on irishrail.ie

TAXI PARKING:

Taxis dropping off patrons will be facilitated as close to the car parks as is possible once there is no interference with the flow of traffic. There is no designated Taxi pick up area in or around the event site.