Members News

Traditional Haymaking ..a great success this year

Report from John Marron, Committee Member at the Scurlogstown Olympiad - Traditional Haymaking Festival

Sunday 21st June 09

A huge crowd descended on Porch Field,Trim,Co.Meath for the Haymaking Festival.They  came  from Meath & counties,Cavan,Monaghan,Dublin,Kildare,Louth, & Westmeath, Wicklow, Sligo, Donegal, Derry to Cork & Clare& Romania.
Many came to participate & compete, others to spectate.

People showed their animals & displayed their wares & skills at the numerous events of the Scurlogstown programme
that unfolded around the Old Thatched Village .

A noted visitor to the Haymaking Festival was Mr. Patrick Binns,Canadian Ambassador to Ireland. He enjoyed the entertainment & the programme of events. His grandfather was native of Co. Monaghan.

John & Marie Hayes, West Limerick were other visitors. Their son John is Munster & Ireland tighthead prop. Indeed John, who was cutting silage until Wednesday, would have accompanied his parents to the Hay Festival but for the fact that he was called up for the Lions Tour to South Africa on Thursday as replacement for Euan Murray.

Jacob worked in the construction industry here until January. He retuned to attend a  friend’s wedding in Ireland in May. Last Wednesday Jacob flew in again from his native Romania specially to participate in the scythe cutting competition. He practised for the event in his former employers field on his arrival. That is dedication. Jacob, we were delighted to see you again at the Scurlogstown Hay Festival in Trim.

A new World Record  at 62ft. was achieved at the Sheaf-tossing  as All Ireland Champion Michael O’Brien, Tulla, Co.Clare successfully defended his  title before a large crowd at the Haymaking Festival in Trim.Close Runnerup was Tom Conway,Gaway ,other Competitors came Noel Collins/ Meath, John& Dylon Doherty/Donegal, John & Vincent Casey/Blarney,Cork Tom Kennedy /Clare   Adjudicator was Ml.O’Shaughnessy Chairman Sheaf-toss Ireland.

The Scythe-cutting produced a new winner in John Mullins,Mitchelstown,Co.Cork. 2nd was 4 times winner Paul Cotter, Lahinh,Co.Clare. John was runner-up to Paul in 2008. Both these men have competed for a number of years at the Haymaking in Trim.  3rd was Martin McMahon, Co.Clare. They  fought off challengers from Sligo, Meath, Kildare,Westmeath,& two from Romania.

Tug Of War;   Simonstown beat Sally Rogers in the Final.

Great Display; of hay cock making, working Horses from Monaghan & Wicklow, & Vintage tractors  & machinery  incl.  the unique Hay-Cocker machine.

Dog,Goat,& Donkey shows, the notorious Donkey Derby,Blacksmith ,tinsmith. Sheep shearers whipped the fleeces off  Pat’s big sheep faster than you would take off your coat. The Irish Cottages had their inhabitants suitably dressed.The three stages were live with the best of music from Coscan, Cois Tine, & Tara Ceili Band,set dancing & the very colourful Carney School of Irish dancing,the Play in the Hay. In TADS performing ‘The Plough in the Field’ the barman flung the fightin’ women out of the field. ‘Dunderry Wedding’ & Strawboys. All commanded large audiences from 1.00-6.00pm. Great entertainment. Great display in the Trim artists marquee.

Goat Show;  Best in Show  Michael & Clare McCann

Donkey Show;best in show was Donegal bred Crolly.   Two baby donkies christened.

Macra na Feirme FBD National Farm Skills  Nine teams took part in this first semi final and the competitors displayed great proficiency and talent in every aspect of the competition, from tractor skills to fencing. Three teams, from Meath, Sligo and Wicklow will now go forward to the National Final of the competition which will be held at the Tullamore Agricultural Show in August.

Great river display by the Trim Canoe Club.   Queen Boinne  arrived by boat.

 New this year was the Dan O’Hara Farm.It was a  Spectacular Show on its own. Well done to Dan,Pat ,Paddy & Labourers.

Trim Art;Great exhibition, too much to mention.

The Roll in the Hay, also new , had to be limited to 13 couples. This competition hit the national media ,print & radio in the last week like a firestorm followed by another storm of enquiries.What a course,a wheelbarrow ride,tunneltrip,haynest & a roll towards the river. A two night stay & dinner in the Knghtsbrook Hotel awaits the winners Aidan Doherty & Trish Hanley,both Meath.. 2nd  was Trina Kenny,Westmeath & Michael Condron,Offaly who get a meal for two also in the 4-star Knightsbrook Hotel who kindly sponsored the generous prizes.Gus & Olive Martyn were beaten in a rolloff for 2nd place.Well done  to the judges & to Aisling, Neal  & Tom who designed & set up the course. Congrats to Tom who had to Roll off to bring his wife & new baby girl home. Congrats.  

The good weather & large crowds made all the planning & preparation worthwhile.

Thanks;  We wish to thank those who participated, brought animals,machinery & exhibits & those who sent messages of appreciation.You enhanced our Festival.

We thank all who helped with manpower & machines,all who came on the day.Thanks also to the Meath River Rescue, Trim Branch of the Irish Red Cross, the Trim Gardai who kept a watchful presence all day . Did the Sergeant had a go at the Sheaf-tossing?

All the neighbouring Festivals helped & were present,the Dunderry Fair,Moynalty Steam Threshing,Girley Harvest Festival,Rathmoylon Festival,Virginia,Shercock, & Tecknevin Turf-Cutting Festival & many more.

Martina’s  Family Kitchen & Louise who fed competitors & workers till late with Traditional Lamb stew, & the Mahons who entertained in the thatched cottage all day supplying Tae & Scones.  

Tom Reilly,Tara Stainless sponsor of the Scythe Cutting  of the unique Trophy.

Thanks to Sean Mahon Waste Disposal who provided the Skip & Bins for field tidy up (great singer too) &  to Pat Reynolds who supplied the bales for ‘Play in the Hay’

Thanks also to the Print Press: Focus,Meath Chronicle,Meath Post,The Weekender, Farming Independent, Farmers Journal & Press Association

Radio ;  LMFM ; RTE  ; &  NEWSTALK 106  for Festival coverage .

Video;Tom,David, John    Photography;  Joe,Seamus,Chris

Website; Siobhan,       Facebook;  Aisling

Sorry if we left out any grouping or individual. All assistance was appreciated.

DVDs available soon            

John Marron.PRO  Scurlogstown Olympiad. 086-8575618  Tues.23rd June 2009
                      
FAILTE–WITAJCIE–WELCOME-BIENVENUE-WILLKOMMEN-BENVENUTI
                                                                                                                                                                     
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Urgent request ; video footage of events esp donkey derby welcome