President Connolly officially launches National Ploughing Championships

President of Ireland Catherine Connolly officially launched the 2026 National Ploughing Championships in Screggan Tullamore on Tuesday afternoon.

In her opening address, during which she spoke in both the Irish and English language, the President described Europe's largest agricultural event as a "wonderful celebration" of "all aspects of Ireland's rich rural heritage".

The three day Championships, she said, has much to offer "all ages and abilities" with a varying programme on site, ranging from livestock displays, sheep shearing, sean nós dancing and well throwing.

"There really is an event for all here at the National Ploughing Championships," the President said.

The President said the three day event fell at an opportune time in the calendar as the farming community "transitions into autumn" with its own "life and rhythms".

"It is the start of the harvest, as we move from Lúnasa to Mean Fomhair, a busy time of planting and preparing for winter," the President added.

President Connolly referenced the nation's connection with the land, particularly members of the rural community.

"Our connection with the land is visceral, arising from our long struggle to gain sovereignty of our land and our country," the President stated.

The President commended the work of the farming community acknowledging that as a result of "your hard work, we are able to celebrate at the National Ploughing Championships".

Proferring a word of caution, President Connolly said this year's National Ploughing Championships were taking place "against unprecedented global; heating related to climate change".

She called for "transformative action" to be urgently taken as the country reflected on the "hottest June and July" on record.

"The heat and drought is certainly impacting the livelihoods of many here today," the President added.

Climate change, the President said, is having a detrimental impact on Ireland's food supply.

"We are vulnerable to environmental risks. This vulnerability is brought into acute focus when you hear that there has been a dramatic decline in horticulture producers, while commercial vegetable growers are now less than 70 in number," the President said.

President Connolly also noted that 83% of fruit and vegetables are imported to the country, while the export figure stands at 90%.

"We should ignore such global warming concerns at our peril. It is vital that we take transformative action now to ensure our food security.

"No longer is it possible with unbalanced regional development, with business as usual if we are going to embrace the challenges posed by climate change and the normalisation of war, both of which are intrinsically linked," the President stated.

President Connolly acknowledged that farmers should be at the "heart of change" ensuring "sustainability" in "our food production".

"You represent the very best of our community and we thank you," the President said.

The three-day National Ploughing Championships will run on the 800 acre site until Thursday (September 17) with organisers hoping the crowd figure of 225,000, which attended the 2025 National Ploughing Championships is replicated at Europe's largest agricultural event this week.