OPW offers interactive and engaging demonstrations at the 2025 National Ploughing Championships, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

OPW offers interactive and engaging demonstrations at the 2025 National Ploughing Championships, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

16 – 18 September 2025

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is delighted to announce its attendance at the National Ploughing Championships, Tullamore, Co. Offaly again this year. From VR Heritage tours, flood model demonstrations, biodiversity workshops and OPW recruitment, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The theme of this year’s National Ploughing Championships is Community – ‘Your Government, Your Community’. The OPW is delighted to be part of an event that will provide individuals, groups and families with an opportunity to get a better understanding of how our work benefits their local communities, preserving the past and protecting the future.

Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Kevin “Boxer” Moran said: ‘The National Ploughing Championships is an important fixture in our national calendar bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds. I am delighted that the OPW will be in attendance to provide information to the public on what we do and to showcase the good work delivered within communities across the country. I encourage attendees to pay a visit to the OPW stand, there are lots of interactive and fun demonstrations on site from demonstrations of flood relief schemes to virtual reality experiences of our Heritage sites, there is something for everyone to enjoy”.

For the nature enthusiast, find out how to build your own biodiversity haven at home with our hands on conservation demonstrations. From hedgehog houses to bird, bat and owl houses, visitors can get their hands on clearly designed drawings and instructions to re-create these homes for their garden friends in their own time.

Visitors will have an opportunity to virtually experience Ireland's most iconic heritage sites, through the use of VR goggles, bringing history to life in a unique and engaging way. Some of the sites include the Céide Fields, the Battle of the Boyne, Brú na Bóinne and Kilkenny Castle.

Why not discover ‘Engineering in Action’ and witness the science of stopping floods. Our OPW engineers will explain this process through engaging demonstrations. This is one demo not to be missed.

For those interested in a career with the OPW, come and speak with a member of our HR team who can advise on the range of exciting careers on offer from our apprenticeship programme to our successful Graduate Engineering programme. There is also a range of operational roles from guides to gardeners, all of whom provide vital support in the running of OPW Heritage sites.

Check out our OPW stand at Culture Tent, Block 3, Row 14, Stand 274.

For more information please see https://www.gov.ie/en/office-of-public-works/campaigns/opw-ploughing-championships/

OPW spokespersons are available for interview upon request. Please contact pressoffice@opw.ie for more information and to arrange an interview.

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NOTES

To find out what’s on across the Government of Ireland village, visit gov.ie/ploughing, or call into one of our hubs when you get there.

Recruitment - Build a Better Future

OPW have a range of exciting careers on offer from our apprenticeship programme to our successful Graduate Engineering programme. There are interesting career options in a variety of Engineering professions.

There are also a range of operational roles from guides to gardeners all who provide vital support in the running of OPW Heritage sites.

Our Guides represent the public face of the OPW, showcasing Ireland’s most important heritage sites. The Guide Service plays a vital role in conserving and presenting our heritage sites and ensuring the safety and enjoyment of the visitors.

For more information on careers at the Office of Public Works please check out gov.ie/careers.

The Global VAM VR experience

The Global VAM VR experience transports viewers to Ireland's most iconic heritage sites, offering both aerial and ground perspectives. The easy-to-use technology ensures that viewers of any age can navigate safely and comfortably. Since each experience is viewer-controlled, it can last as long as the user desires. We encourage users to take their time, as the spectacular 360-degree scenes offer complete immersion, making time feel irrelevant. For younger generations, this familiar technology provides an engaging way to explore heritage locations without revealing everything.

From an accessibility standpoint, this VR experience is invaluable for individuals with disabilities, offering them the chance to explore parts of OPW heritage sites that were previously inaccessible, thus promoting greater inclusivity.

OPW in collaboration with Global VR, recently provided VR experience to residents at Attracta’s Residence in Charlestown, Co. Mayo, on a special initiative for National Arts in Nursing Home Day. This demonstrated that VR technology is suitable for all ages. One of the key benefits we offer is the ability for the elderly to revisit heritage locations and reminisce.

We encourage anyone attending the Ploughing Championship with older relatives to visit our stand, where we can transport them back to historical times through VR.