What is billed as the country’s largest private collection of vintage machinery will be on view throughout Bunratty Castle and Folk Park on Sunday, September 22, when the Co. Clare visitor attraction hosts its annual traditional harvest day.
The Talbot collection was bequeathed to the tourist attraction for permanent display throughout the folk park by Maurice John Talbot who was Dean of Limerick from 1954 to 1971.
Over 50 items of vintage machinery which have been cleaned and repainted by the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park staff will be on view.
The collection includes: pulpers; ploughs; wheel rakes; steel harrows; hay carts; common carts; seed sowers and potato diggers.
Members of the local Irish Vintage and Engine Tractor Association will speak about the evolution of some of the well-known items of vintage farm machinery on view, including tractors and stationary engines.
The farm staff will demonstrate the use of a vintage threshing machine.
Rural Irish life and traditions from over a century ago will be showcased as part of Bunratty’s traditional Harvest Day, which also features crafts demonstrations and dancers, musicians and performers from across the banner county.
“The grounds of the folk park which includes a working farm with many different breeds of indigenous Irish species, are the perfect setting for a harvest day celebration as the work that will be going on will provide visitors with an insight into how neighbours and friends once gathered during the harvest in the spirit of Meitheal,” said Marie Brennan, events manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
“We are looking forward to once again offering the public a genuine portrayal of rural life in 19th century Ireland and celebrating the immense sense of community and hospitality that existed during harvest time,” she said.
A range of native Irish and heritage breeds of animals will be located throughout the folk park paddocks during the family day out, including Irish red deer, peacocks, Highland cattle, Tamworth pigs, chickens, goats, Suffolk lambs, geese, bronze turkeys and Irish wolfhounds, Míde and Rian.
Visitors will be able to witness local craftspeople at work including Michael Foudy as he carries on the time-honoured tradition of basket making; blacksmith, Ger Treacy; and Elizabeth O’Connor and Geraldine O’Sullivan who will demonstrate the ancient craft of wool spinning using locally sourced wool, a practice first introduced by Neolithic farmers over 6000 years ago.
Bunratty’s bean an ti group will showcase the art of bread and butter making, with tasting opportunities for those who pay a visit to the Golden Vale and Loop Head farmhouses.
Meanwhile, renowned sheaf-throwing expert Michael O’Brien, who has represented Ireland at competitions in France and Australia, will be inviting established contenders to beat his world record throw of 63ft.
Entertainment will be provided on the day by sean nós singer MacDara Ó Conaola, the Mary Liddy School of Music from Newmarket-on-Fergus, the Helen Hehir School of Dance, and resident musicians, James Anglim and Michael Grogan.
Resident seanchaí, Mike ‘Mickey Joe’ Flynn, will regale visitors with tales of bygone days and traditional ways, from Corry’s pub on the village street.
At the old schoolhouse on the village street, the school master will greet children and adults as they hand over their customary sod of turf for the tiny school room fire.
Normal admission rates apply for the traditional harvest day.