National Ploughing Championships 2021 cancelled due to uncertainty over Covid restrictions

The National Ploughing Championships have been cancelled for 2021 because of uncertainty over Covid-19 restrictions.

The event had 297,000 attendees in 2019 and was set to take place in Co Laois this September.

It is the second consecutive year that the event was forced to cancel.

In a statement today, the organisers said they had taken the decision to cancel the 2021 Trade Exhibition following months of monitoring the Covid-19 status and taking into account the Governments updated roadmap for the next few months.

Organiser felt that cancelling the 1,700-strong exhibitor event was the only option.

However, the National Ploughing Association confirmed that national competitions would still go ahead next year.

Huge crowds pack into the site the second day of the National Ploughing Championships 2019 (Barbara Lindberg)

The NPA said this year's event had to be called off as site work would need to start soon, but can't go ahead with the lack of clarity about which restrictions would be in place in September.

"It was felt that cancelling the 1,700 trade exhibitor event was the only option", the NPA said.

"Uncertainty around international travel also contributed to the decision.

"Public health and safety is of paramount importance to the association and unless the NPA were confident the Trade Exhibition could go ahead without causing any risk to exhibitors, competitors & visitors it would not be feasible."

General views on the opening day of the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co Offaly. (Collins Photos)

"As the timeline to start site works is imminent - the NPA just could not wait any longer to make a decision."

NPA managing director Anna May McHugh said that the cancellation was a big disappointment, and that it represented a €50 million loss to the economy.

She said: "“It’s a massive disappointment to the Association to have to cancel the trade exhibition two years in a row in particular when you consider the estimated annual economic impact of €50 million that will be lost to the Irish Economy.

"We are very conscious of the loss of revenue for our exhibitors and the disappointment of patrons.

"However, the NPA is a strong establishment, we have a massively committed team behind the event, our exhibitors and our patrons have been very loyal over the years and we look forward to bringing the Exhibition back at its full potential in 2022."

The NPA have also confirmed that the event will return to Ratheniska in 2022 from 20^th – 22^nd September.