Preparations are underway for this year's National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, County Laois.

The event will take place between September 19th and 21st and will see thousands of people descend on Ratheniska to shop, catch up and watch farmers put their skills to the test on everything from ploughing to sheepdog trials.

Last year's World Champion, John Whelan from Wexford, said everyone should experience the event at least once in their lifetime.

"You have some brilliant comeptitors from all counties competing at the National Ploughing," he said.

"They're all doing very well and why wouldn't you support your own county? [It's] the same as football and hurling and all those things.

"Come out and see the competition; we have European champions, we have World champions on display at the National Ploughing on a yearly basis.

"So, yes, you should come out and have a look around."

In nearby Stradbally - where Electric Picnic takes place - the Department of Integration has signed a contract to house 700 Ukrainians in tents.

Speaking at the official launch of Championships today, the NPA confirmed it was also asked to help.

“It was a very brief phone call,” the NPA’s Anna Marie McHugh said.

“Just an approach from the Department that are dealing with that [to say], ‘Was there an opportunity to house at the ploughing?’

“All the marquees that you see here, they’re commercial units that will start to be lifted on the Thursday evening of the ploughing.

“So, I couldn’t have made a commitment.”

Following the conclusion of the National Ploughing Championships, the land in question will be used again by farmers for their livestock.

'No place to put people'

Laois County Council Cathaoirleach Paschal McEvoy said he understands why the Government is housing people in tents but hopes alternative accommodation can soon be found.

“We had a briefing with the Department yesterday in relation to this,” he said.

“It’s an ongoing job with them looking for sites and accommodation around the country.

“I suppose Electric Picnic was probably somewhere that comes… kind of shovel-ready but tents is no place to put people coming into the winter… [but] there is nowhere else for them at the moment.”

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, EU member states agreed Ukrainian citizens would have the right to seek refugee in the bloc under a Temporary Protection Directive.