Bunratty Castle and Folk Park’s “Traditional Harvest Day” will showcase Ireland’s largest private collection of vintage farm machinery, along with demonstrations of traditional skills and crafts, a variety of native Irish animal breeds, live entertainment and immersive experiences that bring rural Irish life from over a century ago to life, all set against the park’s historical backdrop. It promises to be a great family day out.
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will host its annual “Traditional Harvest Day” on Sunday, 22 September, offering visitors the opportunity to view Ireland’s largest private collection of vintage farm machinery.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
The event will showcase the renowned Talbot Collection, now permanently displayed throughout the 26-acre folk park. This collection, which comprises more than 50 pieces of machinery, features an array of ploughs, hay rakes, threshing machines, and turnip and mangel seeders. Members of the Irish Vintage and Engine Tractor Association will be present to discuss the evolution of tractors and stationary engines also on display.
The park’s paddocks will feature a variety of native Irish and heritage breeds of animals, from Irish red deer and Kerry Bog ponies to Droimeann cattle, Tamworth pigs, Suffolk lambs, goats, peacocks, chickens, geese, turkeys and the Irish wolfhounds Míde and Rían.
The event will also highlight the rich traditions of rural Irish life from over a century ago, with demonstrations of crafts, music and dance performances from Co. Clare’s own musicians, performers and craftspeople.
Basketmaker Michael Foudy and blacksmith Ger Treacy will showcase their trades, while Elizabeth O’Connor and Geraldine O’Sullivan will demonstrate the ancient practice of wool spinning using locally sourced wool. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch Bunratty’s bean an tí (woman of the house) engage in the art of bread- and butter-making, with tastings available at the Golden Vale and Loop Head farmhouses.
Sign up to our newsletter
Renowned sheaf-thrower Michael O’Brien, who has represented Ireland at competitions in France and Australia, will be on hand to invite challengers to beat his world record throw of 63ft. Sheaves are bundles of rushes tightly bound with baling twine. Visitors will get the opportunity to watch as Michael throws the sheaves to impressive heights and distances.
Entertainment will be provided on the day by sean nós singer MacDara Ó Conaola, alongside performances from the Mary Liddy School of Music in Newmarket-on-Fergus, the Helen Hehir School of Dance, and resident musicians James Anglim and Michael Grogan. In Corry’s Pub in the park’s village street, resident seanchaí Mike “Mickey Joe” Flynn will regale visitors with tales of bygone days and traditional ways.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Children can visit the old schoolhouse on the village street to experience what lessons were like in the past. The schoolmaster will be waiting to greet them and conduct the customary exchange of a sod of turf for the tiny schoolroom fire.
Commenting on the upcoming family day out, Marie Brennan, Events Manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, said:
“The grounds of the Folk Park, which includes a working farm with many different breeds of indigenous Irish species, is 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.
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.”
For further details, visit bunrattycastle.ie. Normal admission rates apply.
Sign up to our newsletter
Subscribe to the Irish Heritage News newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and Threads for all the latest heritage stories.
READ NOW
➤ The children’s burial ground in Drumanure, Co. Clare
➤ A guide to Co. Clare’s historical school registers, roll books and other school records
➤ Upcoming conference to celebrate Galway’s medieval church heritage
➤ Discover your roots in Co. Monaghan with over 15,000 newly added records on RootsIreland
➤ Exploring Castle Caulfield: Toby Caulfeild’s 17th-century mansion in Tyrone
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
