Laois Offaly Gardaí issue travel advice ahead of the annual Tullamore Show

Laois Offaly Gardaí are warning of possible traffic delays for people travelling towards Offaly this Sunday, August 10. 

The annual Tullamore National Livestock Show is taking place at the Butterfield Estate, Blueball, Tullamore and will attract visitors from across Ireland.  

“Over 50,000 people attended last year’s event and similar numbers are expected this year so plan your journey ahead and leave plenty of time to get safely to the site just off the N52 on the outskirts of Tullamore town.

Please be advised that alternative routes have been selected around Tullamore for traffic not attending the event so that they can best avoid delays,” Gardaí said.   

The main N52 will be closed to through traffic from the junction at Mucklagh to Blueball to accommodate the event. Those that live along this stretch of road will be accommodated while diversions will be put in place for non-show traffic using this route.

There will be four large car parks in operation across 240 acres. Dedicated routes have been selected leading directly to the car parks as follows:

1. North/North East – Tullamore –  (Green Car Park)
2. West/North West – Athlone – Clara – Rahan – (Yellow Car Park)
3. South/South West – Birr – Blueball – (Red Car Park)
4. East/South East – Portlaoise – Killeigh –  (Blue Car Park)

Gardaí said buses are to use the Blue carpark while a carpark for those with a disability will also be available - the show committee will issue PWD Passes to allow for access straight to the event site by following signage for “Livestock Entrance” on the Greatwood Road (Zone B – PINK Pass) and enter at Gate 3.

Each car park will be operated by stewards selected by the show committee.

All Exhibitors/Competitors/Trade Parking (ZONE B – Pink Pass) with the exception of livestock will be directed to the event site where they will gain access at Gates 5/6. 

Livestock Exhibitors/Competitors/Trade (ZONE A – BLUE PASS) only will between 7:30am and 9:30am gain access at Gates 2/3 to the site via the closed section of the N52 onto Greatwood Road.  

Following the event, only cattle exhibitors will leave via the closed section of the N52.

Parking restrictions will be in place and strictly enforced. There is no parking:

• Mucklagh to Blueball
• Blacklion to Portlaoise Car Park
• Blueball to the event site
• Screegan via Glaskill and Agall to the event site (the emergency route).

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“We hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable day at the Tullamore Show, and please be sure to stop anyone of us who will be on duty at the event if you need help or assistance. 

Drop by our tent too to say hello!” Gardaí said.