Kells

11 August 2013

The Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival is a celebration of horse and steam power surrounded by vintage displays, trading stalls, crafts, sideshows, funfair, and traditional Irish music and dancing. Country living of bygone years is uniquely presented and re-enacted in a series of demonstrations and displays. In the cornfield 6 acres of oats is harvested by horse drawn reaper and binder, sheaves stooked and brought to the mills for threshing. Working horses plough and till the stubbles. The exhibition of threshing by steam engines, horse, flail and tractor is the centrepiece of the afternoon. Young and old delight in seeing the mighty engines billowing smoke and steam sky high whilst filling the sacks with oats and separating the straw. Several steam engines and mills revive memories of olden times with their sounds and smells. There is a waterwheel on the river and a replica thatched cottage on the hill, garden, butter churning, woodturning, spinning, pottery and blacksmithing. Children love the collection of farm animals, poultry and piglets and the thrilling fairground with bumping cars, swing boats and roundabouts. On the hobs pancakes, brown bread, boxty and colcannon are cooked (Irish style) with samples for eating and buying. Delicious roast pig can be sampled later. Refreshments are served in the tearooms beside the Museum that houses vast displays of antiquities. Free parking on site.

Email: steamthreshing@eircom.net

Website: www.moynaltysteamthreshing.ie

Address: Moynalty, Kells, Co Meath