CONFIRMED: Almost 250,000 people attend the National Ploughing Championships in Laois

The National Ploughing Association has confirmed that 244,000 people passed through the gates of the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, County Laois.

The final attendance is a massive increase of more that 40,000 compared to 2023 which was impacted by bad weather and heavy rain.

A total of 75,500 people attended on Tuesday, 90,500 on Wednesday and 78,000 this Thursday. Exhibitors and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying themselves in the glorious weather with all that was on offer.

READ ALSO: WATCH: Spectators reveal their highlights from Day 3 of the Ploughing in Laois

Commenting following the conclusion of this year's event, NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said: “The overall mood for this year’s Ploughing has been incredibly buoyant and positive.  With so much for visitors to enjoy from quality livestock & serious machinery to fashion, celebrities, influencers and sports stars galore there was something for every member of the family to enjoy.”

The coveted 2024 Best Brown Bread Baker title went to Rose Egan from Offaly, she received a very generous cash prize of €5,000 and a state of the art NEFF oven.  The competition was first a feature of the National Ploughing Championships in the early 1950s is sponsored by Euronics and is run in conjunction with the ICA.