The 51st Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival takes place on 8 and 9 August 2026 in the grounds of the Moynalty Steam Threshing Museum and parkland in the heart of the picturesque County Meath village. This family-friendly cultural event steps back into a bygone era, showcasing vintage steam-powered machinery, traditional farming practices and rural crafts that once defined Irish countryside life.
Saturday features a free village event with a steam run, music on the street, a charity tractor run and a relaxed family atmosphere. The main focus arrives on Sunday, when gates open from 9am for a full day of demonstrations and displays. Central highlights include live steam threshing and binding, horse-drawn ploughing and reaping, and working steam traction engines whose rhythmic chuffing and coal smoke evoke earlier times. A historic road-making display recreates techniques used over a century ago, while the second International Farrier competition showcases skilled hot-shoeing under timed conditions.
Traditional crafts come alive through basket weaving, blacksmithing and forge work, wood turning, tin craft, harness making and butter-making demonstrations in a full-size replica cottage. Visitors can taste brown bread, colcannon, boxty and pancakes cooked on open fires. Vintage car and tractor displays (vehicles 30 years or older), stationary engines, chainsaw carving, an auto jumble and commercial stalls add further interest. Amusements, a dog show and children’s activities keep younger visitors entertained.
Live music runs throughout the day with All Folk’d Up, Gavin Gribben and band, and Matt Leavy, culminating in a headline performance by Nathan Carter and band. Irish dancing from the Jennifer Brady school and a Queen of Steam competition round out the entertainment. Free parking, on-site camping options and the open museum of artefacts make the day complete. The festival combines education, nostalgia and lively craic, offering a memorable celebration of Ireland’s agricultural heritage for all ages.
Ireland’s Festivals
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
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