Moynalty gets in gear for 40th steam threshing

Moynalty is getting set to celebrate its 40th Steam Threshing Festival on Sunday next, 9th August, in a special celebration which promises to be a memorable experience for all the family.

The festival will open with a parade from the village starting at midday. A convoy of steam engines, vintage displays and threshing mills led by the Corduff Pipe Band will wind its way through the picturesque village of Moynalty, Tidy Towns Winner 2013. Visitors will enjoy a colourful and exciting spectacle, steam rising from the 'Iron Ladies', vehicles and bikes from another era, all to a soundtrack of rousing pipe music.

Gates open to the public at 10am. A six-acre field of oats will be harvested using a horse drawn reaper and binder. The sheaves are placed in stooks and brought to the threshing arena where the mills and steam engines demonstrate the threshing of the grain. Other farming skills on show in the corn field include ploughing, tilling, binding, and scythe and sickle reaping. Traditional skills such as churning, spinning, weaving, basket making and woodturning are also on display. Other areas you may be interested in are the blacksmith, waterwheel, poitin still, quern stones and mud turf. Culinary skills include brown bread making, boxty, pancakes and colcannon, all to be found at the “hearth” of the festival. If that whets your appetite, then you can find a hearty meal, home cooking from the ladies committee.
Vintage enthusiasts have a treat in store, with a huge display of cars, bikes, tractors, lorries and other vintage items. View and learn of bygone days or make a purchase for your own collection. In the main field visitors can enjoy a variety of different activities, including trade and craft stands, timber sports, a dog show, and farm animals on display.

Children will love looking at all of these but we also have amusements to keep them entertained. Music on the Dancing Deck is presented by Matt Leavy and Eimear Furlong, with entertainment from Irish dancing schools and the Celtic Blonde Dancers who return this year. Tlachtga CCE musicians and dancers will also perform. The festival culminates with a concert from Nathan Carter, supported by Paul Leavy.

This full show is included in the admission fee of €10. Children under 12 are admitted free of charge. Free parking is provided with acres allotted, so that there is ease of access to the site for all visitors.

 * Images from the 2014 Moynalty Steam Threshing, by Seamus Farrelly.