Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival to Celebrate 50th Anniversary in 2025The Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival, a longstanding tradition in County Meath, is scheduled for 10 August 2025, in the village of Moynalty, near Kells.
Held on the grounds of the Moynalty Steam Threshing Museum and parkland along the Borora River, this one-day event, marking its 50th anniversary, celebrates Ireland’s agricultural heritage through demonstrations of vintage machinery and traditional crafts. The festival attracts thousands of visitors annually, offering a glimpse into rural life of the past while providing entertainment for all ages in the heart of the Boyne Valley.
The 2025 programme begins on Saturday, 9 August, with a steam run and vintage tractor run, setting a nostalgic tone for the main event on Sunday. On the festival day, gates open from 9am to 7:30pm, with displays of steam-powered threshing, reaping, binding, and flailing, showcasing vanishing agricultural practices.
Visitors can observe traditional crafts such as basket weaving, steel forging, hot shoeing, tin craft, wood turning, and harness making, alongside butter-making demonstrations in a replica cottage, where brown bread, colcannon, boxty, and pancakes are cooked on open fires. The museum, housing an extensive collection of agricultural artefacts, is open for viewing, with a lift for accessibility. Entertainment includes live music from artists like Derek Ryan, The Highstool Prophets, Gavin Gribben, Matt Leavy, and Paul Kelly, culminating in a grand finale. The Jennifer Brady School of Irish Dancing will perform, and a “Queen of Steam” competition adds a community highlight. Children’s activities include amusements, a dog show, and farm animal displays. Tickets, available via www.moynaltysteamthreshing.ie or Eventbrite, offer cash and card payment options at the gate, with ample free parking provided.
Visitors can expect a welcoming atmosphere in Moynalty, a picturesque village known for its community spirit and scenic setting. The festival is family-friendly, with free children’s activities and refreshments available, including local crafts for purchase. Attendees are advised to check the festival’s website or social media for weather updates, as events are primarily outdoors. Moynalty’s proximity to heritage sites like the Hill of Tara and Newgrange allows visitors to explore the Boyne Valley’s rich history. The museum, open year-round by appointment, offers additional opportunities to engage with the area’s agricultural past, with contact details at 046 9244810 or office@moynaltysteamthreshing.ie.
The Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival began in 1976, founded by local farmers and enthusiasts, including James Kelly, to preserve and showcase Ireland’s agricultural heritage. Initially held at the Bellair GAA grounds, it moved to its current site in 2000 after the Steam Threshing Committee purchased land to accommodate the growing museum collection. The festival has since become one of Ireland’s premier steam rallies, reflecting the region’s rural traditions. The current chairman, Peter Gaynor, oversees the event, supported by a dedicated volunteer committee and local sponsors, ensuring its continued success. The 2015 book, Celebrating Forty Years of Steam Threshing at Moynalty, documents its history, launched with a music and wine reception at the museum.
Over the decades, the festival has grown from a small community event to a major cultural gathering, drawing visitors from across Ireland and beyond. Despite cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to public health concerns, it has rebounded strongly, with 2024’s event hailed as a success by the Moynalty Community Council. The 50th anniversary in 2025 will feature enhanced displays and celebrations, reinforcing its role as a cherished tradition that connects generations through shared heritage. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to fully experience the demonstrations and entertainment, making for a memorable day in Meath’s countryside.
