Gardaí have warned of traffic disruptions in Kilkenny and adjoining counties over the next two days because of the volumes of traffic generated by the National Ploughing championships, which opened today at Cuffesgrange.
More than 150,000 people are expected to visit the championships over the next three days.
Fine weather brought a record first day crowd of 70,00 to the Co Kilkenny site, causing traffic chaos on routes to site today despite an extensive Garda traffic management plan. Some motorists reported being stuck for hours in 10-kilometre tailbacks.
Gardaí had put in place a special plan which involves dividing the traffic into nine separate routes for traffic approaching the site. They said they will review their plans for the rest of the event in a bid to alleviate the logjams.
Some of the worst delays were reported along the N9, N10 and N77.
This morning, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan formally opened the event, which lays claim to being the largest ploughing championships in the world and one of the largest agricultural outdoor events in Europe.
Virtually the entire Cabinet will attend over the next three days, along with the leaders of all the main political parties.
Taoiseach Brian Cowan was helicoptered in for a flying visit to Cuffesgrange today. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was also in attendance.
The event, featuring 900 trade stands and 15km of steel trackway, attracts visitors from every corner of Ireland.
Agri-business is at the core of the annual event which will pump at least €20 million into the local economy and generate millions of euro worth of sales on site.
Up to 200 acres of the site has already been pegged out for the 19 all-Ireland ploughing finals and dozens of other ploughing competitions. Competitors from eight countries will be taking part.
The first ever ploughing championship was held in 1931 to settle an argument between Kildare man J.J. Bergin and his friend Denis Allen, Co Wexford, about which county had the best ploughmen.