Dust off the wellies, the National Ploughing Championships are back, bringing the best of Irish agriculture to Ratheniska, Co Laois, from Tuesday 20 September to Thursday 22 September.
As Europe's largest outdoor event, it promises to be a spectacular three days, as this year Ireland will be hosting the 67th World Ploughing Contest. Of course. RTÉ will be there to broadcast the best of the event live to viewers at home, and offer a range of special live shows and performances.
Pop along to see the Ray D'Arcy Show broadcast live from the Ploughing on Tuesday, meet 2FM Breakfast's Doireann, Donncha and Carl in person at this bustling event.
RTÉ One's Six One team will broadcast live from the bustling event on Tuesday, with live RTÉ News reports taking place over the three days.
RTÉ Weather will also broadcast live from the Ploughing every day with Nuala Carey, Trevor Keegan, Gerry Murphy, Linda Hughes, and Michelle Dillon getting stuck in to the vibrant Ploughing spirit. Special lunchtime weather bulletins will take place live on RTÉ One at 13.25pm and an afternoon bulletin at 15.40pm.
For any budding weather person out there, the RTÉ weather team will give you a chance to present the weather between the live TV bulletins with the help of cameras, autocue and weather graphics.
Nationwide on RTÉ One (7pm) will be bringing two shows to viewers about the Ploughing Championships 2022.
On Monday 19th September Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh looks ahead to the Championships to find out about the planning, preparation and build up to Europe's largest farming event and we take the opportunity to visit some tourist sites in the county.
On Wednesday 21st Anne Cassin and her guest co-host, Marty Morrissey meet the participants, visitors, Irish and International competitors, exhibitors, the farmers at the National and World Ploughing Championships.
As well as this, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta is celebrating 50 years on air this year, and as part of the year-long celebrations they will present a special celebration of Irish traditional music during this year’s National Ploughing Championships called 'Cuisle RnaG50'.
Traditional music has been an integral part of RnaG’s output over the last half century, and this show will be presented by station Music Editor Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha, and conducted by renowned Tipperary accordion player Ned Kelly.
He will be joined by some of Ireland’s top traditional musicians, including Ryan Molloy, Fergal O’Neill, Clare Quinn, Keelan McGrath, Jack McGrath, William Holmes, Gary Lynch, JP Reynolds and Caitlin McGrath for a fantastic performance of pure drop traditional music.
There will be some extra magic at the Ploughing this year, as the Toy Show The Musical Box Office sets up shop.
The magic of Toy Show The Musical is coming to the Convention Centre Dublin this Christmas, and visitors to the Ploughing can buy their tickets – with an exclusive 10% discount – at a special box office at the RTÉ stand.
In addition to the discount there will be free Tayto popcorn for visitors (while stocks last!). There's also a chance to win family tickets and an overnight stay at a top Dublin hotel if you fancy jumping into the specially created moon and taking a pic. #toyshowmusical
There will be more chances to nab some amazing prizes at the RTÉ Shop, where you can chat to the Saorview support team and grab your a chance to win a TV with thanks to Euronics.
A special area will be set up to celebrate 60 years of television in Ireland, with the Ireland on The Box area offering visitors the chance to take a photo at the "Magic Door" and enjoy some of the TV highlights.
And that's not all, as the RTÉ Guide Photobooth arrives at the Ploughing. The latest issue of the RTÉ Guide will be on sale with the ever-popular RTÉ Guide Cover Star Photobooths. Buy an RTÉ Guide and walk away with a great read and a photo of you on the cover.
Not only is there an exclusive discount for URC TV packages on offer but you can get your photo taken with the URC trophy, meet some of the URC players and enter the draw to win some brilliant URC TV prizes, including a signed jersey, URC match tickets and URC TV access passes.
Read the full RTÉ schedule at the Ploughing below:
Tuesday 20 September
07:00 – 09:00 | Morning Ireland live broadcast on RTÉ Radio
10:30 – 11:30 | Cuisle RnaG50 live music celebrating Irish traditional music (See notes below)
12:30 – 13:00 | Meet 2FM Breakfast's Doireann, Donncha and Carl in person
15:00 – 16:30 | The Ray D’Arcy Show live broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1
Wednesday 21 September
08:00 – 09:00 | Adhmhaidin live broadcast on RTÉ RnaG
10:00 – 12:00 | Marty in the Morning live broadcast on RTE lyric fm (special Ploughing time)
15:00 – 18:00 | The Drive with The 2 Johnnies live broadcast on RTÉ 2FM
Thursday 22 September
13:45 – 15:00 | Liveline’s Funny Thursday live broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1
Make sure to stay up to date with RTÉ at 'The Ploughing' across Twitter (@RTE) or Facebook/Instagram (@Explorerte).using #rteploughing.
