As certain as death and taxes, traffic delays at the Ploughing Championships has once again reared its ugly head.
Those travelling to the ploughing are already experiencing significant delays, with some reporting 25-kilometre tailbacks going into the Screggan site outside Tullamore.
This is why i hate going to events like the ploughing match..The bloody traffic..A long tailback, and still 25 km away... pic.twitter.com/y5Hx8gqkn9
— Patrick O'Carroll (@OPjocarroll) September 19, 2017
Why did I pick today to go Portlaoise... traffic is horrendous 🙈 #Ploughing
— Cormac Hogan (@86_cormac) September 19, 2017
@aaroadwatch what is the delay in Abbeyleix? #traffic #ploughing
— Laura Dee (@xxlols) September 19, 2017
#OFFALY Very busy on routes heading to #Ploughing17 especially approaching Birr and through Fivealley. See https://t.co/pdsEzJTRQr
— AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) September 19, 2017
Still, there might just be a way of escaping this.
Gardaí have established various routes for those heading to The Ploughing from the South East:
BLUE ROUTE
Traffic from Munster:
Traffic travelling Northbound on the M8 will exit at Junction 6 (Horse & Jockey) and proceed to Thurles and onto Templemore and Roscrea on 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 Kilkenny:
Traffic travelling from Kilkenny/South East will travel North along the N77 via Durrow and Abbeyleix before arriving at Portlaoise. Traffic will be directed left at Father Brown Road through Clonminham and onto the N80 travelling towards Mountmellick. At Derryclooney Bridge, Mountmellick traffic will be directed left and onto the R422 through Rosenallis and Clonaslee. At Cloonagh 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 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.
DISABLED PARKING
BLUE – BROWN – GREY ROUTES:
Disabled Parking for the Blue, Brown and Grey Routes is located within the Event Grounds at Gate 5 adjacent to the Hunt Chase. Only properly accredited vehicles will be allowed entry to Disabled Parking.Disabled Parking on the Green Route is situated beside the Green Exhibitor parking adjacent to the event site.Disabled Parking on the Purple and Pink Routes will follow the Exhibitors signs and will park in the Disabled car
park beside the Pink Exhibitors Car Park adjacent to the event site. Disabled Parking on the Yellow / Orange Route is located on the N52 Mucklagh By-Pass adjacent to the Livestock Entrance.
Despite the tailbacks, the Gardai are on it. Check the Garda Traffic Twitter feed for all updates. This might just save your day.
#Ploughing17 Heavy volumes currently on Brown route between Borris O Kane & Cloghan no reported incidents Gardaí on point duty
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) September 19, 2017
Heavy volumes on approaches to #Ploughing17 no reported incidents, please follow directions of Gardaí & stewards.
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) September 19, 2017
IMAGE: Stock
