Heading home from the Ploughing? Expect heavy delays

Settle in, turn on the radio… You’ll be in traffic for a while.

Updated at 6.50pm

MOTORISTS HEADING HOME from the National Ploughing Championships this evening are being advised to expect delays on routes out of the site.

The second day of Europe’s largest outdoor agricultural trade show took place today.

Attendees experienced heavy delays accessing the motorway network as they exited the venue last night – an almost inevitable consequence, considering around 80,000 are attending the rural event each day.

The best advice is you want to beat the tailbacks? Either arrive late or leave early.

These are the worst affected areas this evening, according to AA Roadwatch:

#Ploughing2015
There is heavy traffic now from Ratheniska through to Ballyroan on the Abbeyleix Rd (R425).
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) September 23, 2015

AA Roadwatch / Twitter

#Ploughing2015
On N80 n'bound, traffic is heavy from Stradbally heading for Portlaoise before turning off onto Old Dublin Rd (R445).
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) September 23, 2015

AA Roadwatch / Twitter

#Ploughing2015
On the N80 Carlow Rd southbound, delays remain for traffic approaching Simmons Mill.
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) September 23, 2015

AA Roadwatch / Twitter

#Ploughing2015
There is heavy traffic heading south from the site right through to Timahoe on the Clough Rd (R426).
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) September 23, 2015

AA Roadwatch / Twitter

Earlier, a crash and a breakdown caused significant delays on the M50 in Dublin.

Two lanes were blocked as a result and the Dublin Fire Brigade was called to the scene leading to significant tailbacks.

M50 NB J5 Finglas to J4 Ballymun. Collision in right lane, @M50Dublin on scene, thanks for patience, finished soon. pic.twitter.com/SsgDyLqH4V
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) September 23, 2015

Dublin Fire Brigade / Twitter

Elsewhere, there are reports this evening of a vehicle on fire on the M1 Dublin-Belfast road.

MEATH: Reports of a vehicle on fire on M1 Dublin/ Belfast Rd on northbound on-slip at J8 Duleek Take care on approach http://t.co/hEUHP0c7lm
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) September 23, 2015

AA Roadwatch / Twitter

With reporting by Daragh Brophy.

Read: Here’s what the government plans to do to combat Dublin traffic >

Read: The Port Tunnel has reopened after a vehicle went on fire this morning >

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