The National Ploughing Championships have been canceled today due to Storm Ali.
The opening of the event was initially postponed until the winds died down but after the health and safety team made their checks a decision was made to cancel today’s events.
“Exhibition arena to remain closed today. Further updates later. We thank the public for their understanding,” the National Ploughing Association tweeted.
Tents with equipment, exhibitions, and displays for the Ploughing Championships have been disrupted by the 130k/hm winds that are currently being created by Storm Ali.
Are we allowed in to sort our tent before the public enter. waiting here and it looks likely ye will leave public in with us exhibitors. Not right. #ploughing pic.twitter.com/1LUmhEtuG9
— Kieran Bergin Sports (@kberginsports) September 19, 2018
That will not & cannot open today! Health & safety will not allow it. Get your trains & buses home now rather than being told at 3pm @NPAIE #Ploughing #ploughing18 pic.twitter.com/fJfvtvwbYN
— Gemma O’Docherty (@GemmaODocherty) September 19, 2018
#stormali #ploughing ploughing opening delayed due to high winds pic.twitter.com/TIsKJzub8L
— AMA Farm Services (@sprayertestNI) September 19, 2018
A number of people with children have been waiting to attend the Championships in Tullamore since this morning.
The closure will result in a loss of hundreds of thousands of euro to event organisers and those who’ve rented exhibition space.