How the Journey Works

Our direct bus to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan is designed for maximum convenience and comfort. With pickup points serving regions such as the West, Midlands, and the South, the service makes rural travel easy for attendees coming from both agricultural communities and urban centres. Screggan is located just outside Tullamore in County Offaly — a well-known and proven venue that has successfully hosted the event in previous years due to its capacity, layout, and road network accessibility.

The journey begins in your regional hub. From there, each coach travels directly to Screggan with no transfers or local changes required. Our drivers are fully briefed on the unique access protocols for the Ploughing site, which includes rural road diversions, parking management, and designated coach drop zones. These details change each year and are planned in close consultation with local authorities and An Garda Síochána to ensure smooth entry and exit for all passengers.

Traffic volumes into Screggan can be extremely high — with up to 100,000 attendees expected on peak days — but our teams plan routes that avoid bottlenecks where possible and arrive well in advance of the event’s opening hours. For those unfamiliar with the area, Screggan lies off the R420 with easy links to the M6 and N52 corridors. Coaches will approach via dedicated access lanes arranged for commercial and group traffic.

After a day exploring the championship grounds — whether you’re there for the competitive ploughing heats, browsing Ireland’s biggest trade stands, or taking in educational talks and livestock showcases — you’ll rejoin your coach at the same drop-off point at the scheduled departure time announced by your driver on the day. 

Helpful travel tips:

• Arrive at your regional stop 15 minutes early with your booking confirmation
• Keep a screenshot of your ticket on your phone or print a hard copy
• Comfort stops may be made on longer journeys depending on the route
• Wear comfortable footwear and bring layered clothing — the site is expansive and weather can change

Travelling by coach is the easiest way to access the Screggan venue without the hassle of rural parking, park-and-ride queues, or uncertain train services. Whether you’re coming from the farming heartlands or further afield, our return bus to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan gets you there safely, on time, and without stress.

Check your ticket for your exact pickup point. All departure details will be included in your confirmation email.

About The National Ploughing Championships

The National Ploughing Championships is Ireland’s largest agricultural event and one of the biggest outdoor exhibitions in Europe. Established in 1931 by the National Ploughing Association (NPA), the event has grown from a simple two-man ploughing contest to a massive three-day festival of rural life, attracting over 250,000 visitors annually. It showcases every facet of Irish farming — from machinery and livestock to agri-tech, sustainability, and education — all while maintaining the competitive spirit of its ploughing roots.

The core of the Championships remains the competitive ploughing matches, where Ireland’s best ploughmen and women battle it out for national and international honours. These contests are not just tradition; they’re judged on precision, technique, and land management skill. Winners often go on to represent Ireland at European and World Ploughing events, giving the competition global prestige.

Beyond the ploughing fields, attendees will find a sprawling exhibition village filled with over 1,700 exhibitors. These include agri-equipment launches, seed companies, animal feed producers, rural broadband providers, farming advisory services, and local enterprise showcases. It’s not only a commercial marketplace but also an education platform, with a strong emphasis on climate, technology, biodiversity, and future-proofing Irish agriculture.

Families and non-farming attendees also flock to the Ploughing for its wide-ranging activities — from live cooking demos with celebrity chefs, to music stages, vintage machinery displays, petting farms, and the famous Hunt Chase. For school groups and students, there are STEM pavilions, science and sustainability trails, and interactive zones to learn about modern farming and food production.

This 2025 edition marks the Championships’ return to Screggan, which previously hosted the event from 2016 to 2018. The location is particularly well-loved for its ease of access, flat ground, and central position in Ireland. This makes it ideal for both exhibitors and the public. As always, the NPA promises world-class organisation, safety, and hospitality across the three days.

Trivia You Might Not Know:

• The first National Ploughing Championships took place in Athy, Co. Kildare in 1931 with just 40 spectators.
• In 2018, the event in Screggan broke all previous attendance records with over 297,000 visitors.
• The Championships include a ‘Fashion Tent’ and daily Best Dressed competitions alongside the agri content.
• The NPA is a voluntary organisation that reinvests proceeds into promoting rural development and community initiatives.

FAQs – Bus to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan

What time does the bus to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan leave?

Please refer to your booking confirmation for your exact pickup time.

Will the bus to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan wait if the event ends late?

No. Your driver will announce a departure time from Screggan before you disembark the coach and you must be back on the bus before the scheduled departure time. 

Do buses to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan have toilets on board?

If there is no toilet onboard, the bus will make a short comfort stop.

Can I change my pickup point after booking?

Changes to the pickup point may be possible, subject to availability and fare difference.

Is seating assigned on the bus to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan?

No, seats are first-come-first-served.

How early should I arrive for the bus to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan?

Please be at your pickup location 15 minutes early to avoid missing your departure.

What if I miss my bus to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan?

Missed departures are non-refundable. Please arrive at your pickup point 15 minutes early.

Can I bring food and drink on the bus to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan?

Yes, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed. Please keep the bus tidy.

Can I bring alcohol on the bus to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan?

No alcohol is permitted onboard our services 

Are buses to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan wheelchair accessible?

Some of our coaches are accessible. Please contact us in advance to confirm arrangements.

What should I bring for the bus to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan?

Your booking confirmation (printed or screenshot), valid ID, and suitable clothing for outdoor and a change of clothes for travelling incase of bad conditions at the site.

Can I refund or cancel my bus ticket to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan?

All tickets are non-refundable. Please review our terms before booking.

Where do I board the return bus after The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan?

You’ll return from the same drop-off point

Is parking available at pickup locations for the bus to The National Ploughing Championships at Screggan?

Some pickup points have nearby parking, but it’s first-come-first-served. We recommend arriving early.