'Catastrophic'- Safety warning for Carlow ahead of National Ploughing Championships

Once every week last year someone came close to hitting Gas Networks Ireland’s Gas Transmission Network.

In Carlow, the county had the highest rate of encroachments on transmission pipelines in the country on a per metre basis.

This comes amid a safety warning ahead of the National Ploughing Championships due to take place over the coming week.

In total there was 53 encroachments on gas transmission pipelines and 173 accidental third party hits on gas distribution pipelines in 2024.

Carlow, Clare, Louth, Wicklow and Cavan were among the worst-affected counties.

With much of the country’s gas infrastructure running under farmland, landowners are urged to always ‘Dial Before You Dig’  

Transmission pipelines carry very large volumes of gas at extremely high pressure and hitting one could have catastrophic consequences.

An encroachment refers to any activity, structure, or deep-rooted vegetation that may interfere with the operation, safety, or accessibility of gas mains and pipelines, including excavation or digging within the pipeline corridor and the construction of buildings or fences near gas pipelines.  

Paul O’Brien, Head of Health, Safety and Quality at Gas Networks Ireland said: “Gas transmission pipelines carry huge volumes of gas at extremely high pressure, like the force of a power washer. Distribution pipelines move gas at much lower pressure, closer to the steady flow of a kitchen tap. Accidentally striking either can be very dangerous, but damaging a transmission pipe can have catastrophic consequences.” 

Last year, more than 27,000 requests were made to Gas Networks Ireland’s 'Dial Before you Dig' service, almost twice as many as during 2022.  

“It is encouraging to see more landowners and contractors checking for underground gas pipelines before carrying out works,”Mr O’Brien added. 

READ NEXT: How the new Shannon water pipeline to Dublin could benefit homes in Carlow

“Striking a gas pipeline can cause harm, disruption, or even worse. A quick check with our ‘Dial Before You Dig’ service by phone, email or online is a vital step that helps keep everyone safe.”  

Gas transmission pipelines are the motorways of the gas network transporting large volumes of gas over long distances. Ireland has nearly 2,500 km of gas transmission pipelines crossing the lands of over 5,000 landowners. These pipes are wide in diameter – often up to a meter, operate at very high pressures – up to 85 bar, and typically run cross-country.  

While distribution pipelines act like local roads and streets, taking gas from the transmission network and delivering it to over 720,000 homes and business across Ireland. Ireland’s distribution network extends to more than 12,000 km of pipeline. These pipes are smaller in diameter, operate at lower pressures – 4 bar and less, and are laid through towns, cities and residential areas. 

With so much of the country’s gas transmission infrastructure running under farmland, Gas Networks Ireland is using the National Ploughing Championships 2025 (16–18 September, Screggan, Co. Offaly) as a key opportunity to highlight pipeline safety, with a bold tattoo-themed activation - part of a wider stand experience designed to raise awareness of pipeline safety and showcase the role of renewable gas in Ireland’s farming future.  

Gas Networks Ireland will be located at Stand 186, Row 8, Block 3 at the Ploughing Championships.

Farmers, contractors and families can visit across all three days of the Ploughing to learn more about gas pipeline safety, renewable energy and the future of Ireland’s gas network.