Pack your wellies, raincoats, and umbrellas - The National Ploughing Championship has finally returned to Co. Laois, and the weather is looking wet and windy.
As Europe's largest outdoor event, the annual exhibition is expected to attract more than 275,000 visitors (rain or shine) as it returns to Ratheniska from September 19 - 21.
Unfortunately, the first day of the event has seen heavy rainfall, with Met Éireann issuing a status yellow weather warning in a number of counties.
Scattered showers will become heavier throughout the day as they move from West to East & it'll be a mild but windy night with gales at sea. ☔️🌪️
— RTE Weather (@WeatherRTE) September 18, 2023
A dull, damp day for Tuesday with wet & windy conditions & a weather warning until 6am Wed.⚠️
Here's Helen with more details...👇 pic.twitter.com/f43AbEnumv
No matter the weather, though, the exhibition will feature a jam-packed programme of events, filled to the brim with live music, fashion shows, pony club games, and the annual brown bread baking competition.
Ahead of today's events, we caught up with RTÉ broadcaster Nuala Carey at the RTÉ tent to find out what attendees can expect from the weather.
"Over the three days the weather will be mixed so, I suppose, you might as well embrace it - that's what I say.
"Be sure to bring a good rain jacket, don't forget the hood. This is not a year for your fancy runners, I would think wellies all the way."
"Enjoy it," she adds, smiling. "It's the Ploughing, it's Ireland, and it's September - anything could happen, so I wouldn't worry about it. I know the numbers will still be really, really big; people always come, no matter what the weather is like."
RTÉ at the Ploughing 2023. Givin' it welly!
— RTÉ (@rte) September 19, 2023
Block 1
Row 16
Stand # 275@MartyM_RTE pic.twitter.com/hdIuFBsvei
Reflecting on her many years at the annual championship, Carey says that her favourite part is always spending time with the people - some of whom she has seen grow up over the years.
"Often the same people call in to see us every year, and I've seen families now almost grow up in front of my eyes," she muses. "It's really getting to mix with everybody, actually getting their feedback, as well, on our weather forecasts.
"It's catching up with old friends, is the way I see the Ploughing, and hearing how our farmers are getting on and the year they've had."
To see RTÉ's full itinerary of events at the 2023 Ploughing Championship, click here.
