The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport will return to the 2026 National Ploughing Championships with a wide-ranging programme that brings together national cultural institutions, sporting organisations and traditional arts groups. The department's marquee will spotlight Ireland's heritage, active living and creative talent across the three-day event.

Visitors to the Celebrating Culture and Sport hub can expect interactive experiences, hands-on workshops and live performances designed for all ages. The National Archives will present The Story of Us: Census 1926, delving into life a century ago through historic documents, images and census records following the release of the 1926 Irish Free State census.

Daily traditional music sessions will be staged by the National Concert Hall, featuring high-energy performances from The Wild Turkeys. The National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage will showcase Westmeath and Offaly Comhaltas musicians, alongside basketmaking demonstrations led by the Irish Basketmakers Association.

Sport Ireland and partner bodies will promote participation for everyone across the country's 29 Local Sports Partnerships. Interactive elements include Cycling Ireland's stationary roller racing challenge, Vision Sports Ireland's VR and Meta smart glass accessibility technology, and Pitch & Putt Ireland putting simulators.

The National Library of Ireland will run genealogy workshops to help trace family histories, deliver talks on Ireland's culinary traditions through historical recipe books under the banner "Cooking the Books", and display the 200-year-old Maps of the Irish Bogs Commission. The Arts Council's line-up features revival performances of Sean Nós dancing, traditional lacemaking workshops, children's creative writing and visual art sessions, and folklore storytelling with Aindrias de Staic. The National Museum of Ireland – Irish Antiquities (in Hub 5) will offer hands-on activities with replica Viking artefacts, early Bronze Age pottery making, interactive butter-churning demonstrations and natural history skull identification.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, TD, said: "The National Ploughing Championship is a cornerstone of Irish rural life, making it the perfect stage to celebrate our shared heritage, living traditions, and dynamic arts sector. From exploring the newly released 1926 Census records with the National Archives to experiencing our finest traditional musicians and craftspeople, this year's programme offers a remarkable opportunity for communities to connect directly with the cultural institutions that safeguard our national story."

Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, TD, added: "Sport and physical activity play a vital role in the health, well-being, and community spirit of rural Ireland. Through Sport Ireland and our national governing bodies, we are thrilled to bring accessible, interactive sports experiences to the Ploughing Championships. Whether testing your speed on a cycling roller or experiencing innovative adaptive sports technology with Vision Sports Ireland, our focus remains firmly on broadening participation opportunities for people of all ages and abilities."

Members of the public attending the 2026 National Ploughing Championships are encouraged to visit the Celebrating Culture and Sport marquee throughout the event to meet staff, enjoy performances and get involved in interactive demonstrations.