Cork will again be centre-stage this week following the football and hurling finals with the holding of the 1999 National Ploughing Championships at Castletownroche, starting tomorrow.
The giant site has been prepared for the annual invasion, with over 150,000 visitors expected to attend over the next three days. All eyes are on the weather for this, the largest outdoor event of its kind in Europe.
Wet weather creates some problems for the organisers - the National Ploughing Association - in the car parks where sometimes vehicles have difficulty getting in and out. A very comprehensive traffic plan has been drawn up by the Garda for the event and there is more than sufficient parking space available around the 500-acre site.
Midlands and Dublin traffic should use the N8 to Michelstown and turn right on to the N73 towards Mallow; pass through Kildorrey, turn left at Waterdyke, left to Canteen Cross, and left to Shanballymore to Dark Road, Castletownroche, to arrive in carpark A.
There is also an alternative route from Michelstown to Ballindangan and Glanworth Cross, with a right turn at Ballyhooley Road and another right at Egans Cross to Castletownroche. This route will be for cars only and parking will be available at car park B.
Gardai say that if these routes are unable to cope with the flow, they may allow traffic on the N73 up to Skenakilla, where it will join the west of Ireland and Limerick traffic.
Traffic from the south and south-east will be directed onto the N72 from Fermoy, in single lane to Ballyhooley and then in two lanes to Castletownroche, to arrive at carpark C.
West of Ireland and Limerick traffic will travel through Charleville, south on the N20 to Velvetstown Cross, turning right there to Turnpyke Cross, right at the N73 to Skenakilla Cross and left to Castletownroche. This traffic will use car park D.
Traffic from the south-west via Mallow will travel via Rea's Cross on the N72, where two lanes will be opened to parking areas. There is an alternative route through Mallow on the N73 to Skenakilla Cross and right for Castletownroche or via Killavullen to Rea's Cross. This traffic will be diverted to car park E.
One-way traffic systems will operate from Skenakilla Cross to the site each morning and from the site to Skenakilla each afternoon. The same system will be used from Ballyhooley Village to the site each morning and will operate in reverse in the evening.
Traffic restrictions will operate in surrounding towns.
There will be a number of detours to facilitate non-event traffic. Through traffic from Cork to Dublin will be diverted via Limerick-Mallow on the N20.
Gardai have advised all non-event traffic to avoid the Michelstown, Fermoy and Mallow areas if possible.