"The countdown is on!" - Minister welcomes ploughing showpiece to Kildare
The three-day event will be held at Boherkill Farm in Rathangan
Kildare farmer and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has welcomed the confirmation that the National Ploughing Championships will take place in Co Kildare in 2027.
The three-day event will be held at Boherkill Farm in Rathangan, bringing one of Ireland’s largest agricultural events to the county next year.
The confirmation was made as the 95th National Ploughing Championships came to a close in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, with Minister Heydon welcoming the announcement and looking ahead to the event’s return to Kildare.
Minister Heydon said: "Ploughing wrapped up for 2026 and Rathangan confirmed as venue for 2027!
“It was my pleasure to welcome my friend and colleague EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Haansen to Screggan, Co. Offaly to see first hand Europe’s largest outdoor agricultural event.
“In meeting farmers, and farming organisations we heard first hand the concerns of the industry but also learned of the many opportunities available to the farming sector.
“Well done to Anna May and Anna Marie McHugh, and the entire National Ploughing Association on another very successful Championships.
“With confirmation that next years Championships will take place in Rathangan, Co Kildare - the countdown is already on! See you all then."
The arrival of the championships is expected to provide a major economic boost to Rathangan and surrounding areas, with tens of millions of euro, and potentially up to €100m, forecast to flow into local economies.
Businesses across Rathangan, Kildare town, Monasterevin, Newbridge, Naas and surrounding areas are expected to benefit from the influx of visitors.
Hotels and accommodation providers, pubs and restaurants, petrol stations, shops, taxi operators and tourism and hospitality businesses are among those expected to benefit.
Kildare has a long association with the National Ploughing Championships, having last hosted the event in 1985 at Kilkea near Athy. The county also hosted the first championships in 1931, as well as events in 1955 and 2009.
The official confirmation came from the Grandstand as this year’s championships drew to a close.
A total of 75,000 visitors attended the final day, bringing overall attendance across the three days to 243,000.
The figure represents an increase of around 18,000 visitors compared with last year, with attention now turning to Rathangan as preparations begin for the 2027 championships.