Iarnród Éireann has confirmed rail services for the National Ploughing Championships, taking place from Tuesday September 15 to Thursday September 17, 2026.
Additional services will stop at Tullamore and Portarlington over the three-day event and are available now for booking via the Iarnród Éireann website, including the recently confirmed 06:40 Athlone/Tullamore special service which will operate daily on September 15, 16 and 17.
Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann are also again offering a combined rail and bus add-on ticket, to ensure a more seamless experience for customers attending the national event, expected to attract approximately 275,000 visitors over the three days.
A bus shuttle service will operate between Portarlington and Tullamore train stations and the Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore.
Shuttle tickets can be purchased as an add-on at the ‘Add Extras’ step while booking a train ticket. The cost for the return bus add-on is €15.00 per customer.
There will also be an option to purchase a shuttle ticket from Bus Éireann kiosks in both Portarlington and Tullamore stations on the day for customers that wish to do so.
“Customers travelling from Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and all stops to Portarlington must change in Portarlington to pick up the bus shuttle,” Irish Rail stated.
“Customers travelling From Galway, Mayo, Dublin, Waterford, and all stops to Tullamore must change in Tullamore where the onward bus connection will take them to the event grounds.”
Iriah Rail also wished to advise customers that alcohol is not permitted on board any services.
The additional rail services, as well as the combined rail and shuttle bus tickets, are now available to book online through the Iarnród Éireann website.