Second annual Sliabh Bán Harvest Festival to take place this weekend
Alannah Ita Healy
The second annual Sliabh Bán Harvest Festival, organised by the Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club, takes place this Sunday, September 21st, with a variety of different activities and displays in store.
Speaking to the Roscommon People, Henry Owens (PRO of the Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club) spoke about the club’s motivation in setting up the event: “We noticed that there was no festival of this type running in the county – the nearest would be in places like Galway, Mayo, Westmeath, or Leitrim – so we decided we should organise one in Roscommon to fill that void.
“We had our inaugural festival last year”, Mr Owens explained, praising the turnout on the day despite the “unpromising” weather: “It seemed to be raining everywhere but where we were – it was a dull day that looked like it could turn wet any minute.
“Luckily, people still came out, it kept dry, and we had a good festival”, he said, noting the club is hoping to see similar support for this year’s event – “this time we’re hoping for a good, dry day!”
According to Mr Owens, farm machinery and practices from “days of old” will form a central focus on the day: “It’s a harvest festival, which entails displaying a lot of vintage machinery associated with harvesting.
“We have acquired some oats, and we are going to have an old threshing machine in action, threshing the oats – separating the straw from the grain.
“We’ll also have other vintage machines on display, including a stone crusher that would’ve been used maybe a hundred years ago. We will also have a vintage sawmill, which was used to cut logs into planks for commercial use.”
Mr Owens noted that in addition to these machines, there will be a collection of vintage stationary engines at the festival: “These are engines that are not self-propelled; you can’t drive them anywhere, so they’re transported by trailer or truck, and then taken down and started up. They’re very interesting to watch because many of these engines could be up to 100 years old, maybe more, and they were used to generate significant electricity – one of them could run a factory or a sawmill.”
For those with a general interest in vintage vehicles, Mr Owens notes that “there will be a display of vintage tractors, trucks, cars, and bikes for people to enjoy.”
In addition to machinery, traditional heritage practices will also be highlighted at the festival: “We hope to have people doing butter-churning, making country butter from cream, and people making traditional boxty – a dish made from raw potatoes and flour.
“On top of all that, there will be copper and wood crafting, as well as a craft fair with various different stalls on the day”, he noted.
“And then there’s going to be haymaking, tractor balancing, and sheaf tossing competitions – a traditional competition that involves tossing a bundle of material of about 20lb weight (they call it a sheaf, but it won’t actually be a sheaf of oats on the day) across a bar maybe 50, 60, 70ft high.”
Mr Owens noted that there will be lots on offer for younger attendees, with a fun fair set to feature at the event: “We are also hoping to have a man out on the day, with a small animal collection for the children to enjoy and interact with – miniature donkeys, goats, and other small, cute animals.
“As well as that, there is going to be someone out with a horse and carriage, who will be bringing children for free rides around the field throughout the day.”
Henry also highlighted that there will be live musical entertainment at the festival for attendees to enjoy, and that RosFm will be on-site providing coverage.
This year’s Sliabh Bán Harvest Festival begins at 12 pm at Lismehy, Strokestown, Co Roscommon (Eircode: F42 VN82). Don’t miss out on what promises to be a wonderful day for all the family, and a festive celebration of harvest heritage in Ireland. The entry fee is €10 for adults, with free entry for children. For more information, visit the Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club’s Facebook page.
