The main farming event of the year, the National Ploughing Championships, was opened by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, near Tullow in Co Carlow today.
Mr Ahern said he is confident the new European Union farm subsidy system currently being put in place will allow farming to develop and prosper.
150,000 people are expected to attend the National Ploughing Championships over the next three days.
A special traffic plan is in operation, and gardaí are advising motorists to avoid the area if they are not visiting the show.
The event has been providing a platform for Irish agriculture since the 1930s, and it has emerged as one of the largest farm shows in Europe over the past two decades.
More than five kilometres of steel trackway has been laid to ease conditions for the crowds as they make their way around the ploughing competitions and the 700 trade stands.
