At the Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival
My husband’s father’s family is from Moynalty, County Meath. It is a lovely, picturesque, quaint village. And every year, for the past 38 years, they host a Steam Threshing Festival which attracts upwards of 30,000 people. It is always an enjoyable afternoon, and this year was no exception!
At the Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival
I’m not a farming girl myself, so everything had to be explained to me. Threshing is the process of beating the stem of the grain to separate the grain from the straw. Long ago, this was done by beating it by hand using a flail, but this graduated to using threshing machines powered by horses, and then later by steam engines. Today, combines are used.
Threshing demonstration field.
There is a tremendous amount of work involved, no matter which method is used! It is lovely to be able to see how things were done “in the olden days” (which is really not all that long ago!).
One of the many steam engines.
The Moynalty Steam Threshing festival is a great day for the entire family. They have vintage cars, antique displays, food, animals, crafts, and rides. They, of course, have a web site: http://www.moynaltysteamthreshing.ie/
Steam Engine.
For us, we have the added benefit of being able to visit with family. It is always fun to catch-up with everyone! I must get pictures of the extended family next time! 🙂
Vintage steam engine.
The kids love to hear the whistles blow! It’s classic.
Tractors through the ages!
Antique display of radios.
Selling lavender at the festival with my helpers.
Having gone to the festival for years, I decided that it would be a perfect place to sell my lavender. My lavender display was set up in the vintage car section. I have to say that really, lavender sells itself! The scent was enough to get people to come over to me (that’s the hard part!). I think it worked well with the different variety of items that I had. I sold my lavender wands, mini-bouquets, larger bouquets, and two different sized pouches (sachets). It was a lovely day!
It is always nice to find a fun festival to visit.
Dana
p.s. I most appreciated my husband taking all of the wonderful pictures in this post while I was busy selling lavender!
Mom in the Garden 
Great post. I love all your lavender items!
Ah, Thank you so much! I love the process of making them! 🙂
We used to have an “Old Timers Day’ here but I am not sure if they still do that. They have a big steam engine show in Springfield, Missouri every year, too.
Hi Belmont Rooster! I think it is important to “keep alive” the ways of old, especially for the younger generation to see how things were done. Everything changes so quickly now!
Hi Dana, I love history and all things old-fashioned, so this was such a fun post to read; your husband did a great job with the photos, too. And your lavender wreaths and wands are lovely! I do wish lavender would grow here.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post Marsha. It’s funny that as I get older, I am becoming more interested in history and as you say all things old-fashioned! Thanks for the compliments. Sorry about the lavender situation. I guess I am lucky to be able to grow it, and I do appreciate that! 😉
Your Lavender items look lovely. I especially love the wreath. I would buy one if I could…
Thank you Bridget. I’m considering going to more craft fairs!
What part of the country are you in?
County Louth 🙂
I’m in County Louth Bridget.
Sounds like a fun festival. Those lavender are so gorgeous! I would buy everything in a heartbeat! 🙂 Glad you have some adorable helpers.
Thank you for the compliments Amy! My helpers had the added benefit of being able to go around the festival and enjoy themselves, which makes them happier helpers when they are with me! 😉
We would so enjoy this festival, it looks great! We love learning about the “old way” of doing things.
Hi Spy Garden! It really was nice to see how things used to be done. Just this week (very end of August) we’ve seen the farmers in the fields harvesting the barley. But today they use *huge* machines which do everything for them! So very different. (still kinda neat to watch them, though!)
I love events like this…it is a nice way to keep history alive for other generations. I’m glad you were successful selling your lavender as I’ve seen how beautiful your work is.
Thank you Karen!