- The Black Bull Threshing Festival is taking place in Offaly on 22-23 August 2026
- Marty Morrissey opened the festival celebrating Irish agricultural heritage
- Events include threshing demonstrations, vintage machinery, and local food stalls
- The festival attracts heritage tourists and supports local hospitality businesses
- Proceeds will support community groups and heritage preservation
The Black Bull Threshing Festival has returned to Offaly this weekend, with the traditional agricultural heritage event opening its doors to visitors on Saturday 22 August and Sunday 23 August 2026. RTÉ broadcaster Marty Morrissey officially opened the festival, which celebrates the region’s farming traditions through a programme of threshing demonstrations, vintage machinery displays, and community activities. The festival attracts visitors interested in rural Irish traditions and supports local hospitality businesses across the Midlands region.
The event showcases traditional threshing techniques using restored vintage machinery, with demonstrations held throughout both days on the festival grounds. Local craftspeople and food producers have set up stalls offering artisanal goods and locally sourced produce, while live traditional music performances and storytelling sessions form part of the cultural programme. The festival has become a fixture in Offaly’s community calendar, drawing families, agricultural enthusiasts, and heritage tourists to the county.
Organisers have arranged parking facilities and shuttle services to accommodate the expected visitor numbers, with local accommodation providers reporting strong bookings for the weekend. The festival contributes to Offaly’s tourism offering during the late summer period, complementing other heritage attractions in the Midlands including Clonmacnoise and the Lough Boora Discovery Park. Proceeds from the event will support local community groups and heritage preservation projects.
Marty Morrissey shared: “It is a fantastic weekend in Offaly, where the local community has come together to celebrate the traditional skills of threshing and showcase the rich agricultural heritage of the Midlands.”
