Events, Festivals and News

Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival 14th August 2011

The much-loved Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival takes place on Sunday 14th August in this picturesque North Meath village.

On Steam Threshing morning vintage cars, veteran tractors, steam engines, horse drawn machinery, stationery engines, trade stands and the crowds start arriving. Members of the Community work hard to ensure the smooth running of the event and anyone that is willing to work gets a job!

The Threshing is a celebration of all the traditional methods of farming. 6 acres of oats is specially grown on site and is harvested by reaper and binder, sickle and scythe. The sheaves are tied and brought to the mills for threshing. Horse drawn ploughs turn the stubble

The central drama of the afternoon has several steam engines and mills in action reviving memories of olden times with their sounds and smells. Oats is threshed using Steam, Flail, Horse and Tractor. Every aspect of farm life is represented – butter churning, a museum, cooking on open fires, boxty, brown bread and more.

There’s a water wheel on the river and a thatched house on the hill. Dancing deck, forge, basketry and spinning.

This event pulls on the Heart Strings of Nostalgia where people love it all and hate to leave. Their sentiments on departure are always “hope we will be here again next year” “another year over” “Thank you in Moynalty for a great day”.

For further information about this festival Phone + 353 (0) 87 235 4763, email crocawella@eircom.net or visit www.moynaltysteamthreshing.ie