Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club is promising a packed programme of vintage machinery demonstrations, music and family entertainment at the upcoming Sliabh Bán Harvest Festival.
The third annual festival is set to take place on Sunday, September 20th, at Lismehy, Strokestown, in the scenic setting of the foothills of Sliabh Bán (F42 VN82). With a packed programme of vintage machinery, demonstrations, traditional crafts, music, and family entertainment, organisers are hoping this year’s festival will be the biggest and most interesting yet!
A special focus this year will be on Ferguson tractors, with 2026 marking 80 years since the manufacture of the first grey TVO Ferguson 20 in 1946. It also marks 70 years since the introduction of the grey-and-bronze Ferguson FE 35, popularly known as the ‘Copper Belly’, which was first manufactured in 1956 and predated the red and grey MF 35 tractor that was a common model on Irish farms through the 1950s to the 1970s.
Owners of all other Ferguson tractors, both vintage and more modern, are being encouraged to bring their machines along to mark these important milestones. Other makes of vintage tractors and machinery are also very welcome.
Vintage engines and machinery
One of the festival’s regular attractions is the display of vintage stationary engines, including some fascinating examples from Kevin Foley’s collection. Among them is an engine that powered the last motorised barge to operate on the Royal Canal, in use up to the 1960s.
Making its debut at the festival this year will be a 12-tonne steam traction engine, owned by Anto Kiernan of Ballinalee. Manufactured by William Marshall & Sons in 1904, the impressive machine was originally used to power threshers, corn mills and crushers, as well as for haulage.
Billy Stuart from Kilashee will also demonstrate his vintage log-sawing mill.
Traditional threshing and corn-grinding
The Rathcline Threshing Team (JJ Donlon, Timmy Nolan, John Fallon and Noel Kearney) will carry out the traditional threshing of oats using a Ransomes thresher dating from before the Second World War and is at least 86 years old.
For the first time, some of the grain produced during the threshing will be processed into oatmeal using a vintage corn grinder; the grinder was manufactured by Harrison, McGregor & Co. more than a century ago, the belt-driven machine is owned by Padraig Lennon of Tulsk.
Padraig will power the grinder with his vintage Fordson Super Major, formerly owned by his late father, Mick Lennon of Clooneybeirne. Mick was an agricultural contractor who ploughed, reaped, threshed and ground corn during the war years and continued in the business until the 1970s.
The straw from the threshing will be baled using a vintage Welger square baler owned by John Fallon of Cullentra, Rathcline, which remains in perfect working order.
There will also be a blacksmith on-site, and farrier Dylan Marsh will demonstrate the shoeing of a horse, while Willie Creaton will showcase the traditional craft of wood-turning. Visitors will have the opportunity to see a range of tools and implements from a bygone era.
Horse-carriage, vintage vehicles and traditional skills
Pat Murray will travel from Ballina with his horses and jaunting car and will offer free horse-and-carriage rides around the fields.
Donegal Tom will also be attending with his collection of miniature animals, while visitors can enjoy a range of other attractions, including a sheaf-tossing competition, weight-guessing and a traditional hay-making demonstration.
The vintage vehicle display will feature tractors, trucks, vans and cars. Among the highlights will be a Ford Model T dating back more than 100 years, owned by Gerry Bratton of Killoe and still in full working order.
Visitors will also be able to see the traditional art of butter-churning, while a marquee will host boxty-making, refreshments and other treats.
Music and family entertainment
There will be plenty to keep younger visitors entertained, with a funfair and a range of food and trade stalls, including an ice-cream stall, coffee shop and burger van.
Live music will be provided by Billy Garvin, with a dance area available for anyone who fancies a waltz, jive, foxtrot, or quickstep. Ros FM will also be broadcasting live from the festival throughout the day.
Attendees will also no doubt be rushing to get their hands on tickets for the raffle taking place on the day, to be in with a chance to win the impressive load of turf that will be on display during the event. A portion of the proceeds from this raffle will be donated to Pieta House.
The Sliabh Bán Harvest Festival is the only event of its kind in Roscommon, and promises a nostalgic and entertaining day for all ages – combining the machinery and skills of rural Ireland’s past, with a full programme of family entertainment.
The field will open to exhibitors, traders, and craftspeople from 8 am, with the festival officially getting underway at 12 noon. Organisers are asking all traders, exhibitors, and craftspeople to be in position before the official opening.
The Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club committee wishes to thank Joe Bosquette for allowing the use of his land for the festival, as well as all sponsors who have provided financial support and the many workers and volunteers who have given their time to make the event possible.
To get there from the N5, take the Kilrooskey Road approximately one mile east of Strokestown. And to get there from the N63, take the L1425 approximately three miles east of Roscommon town and follow the signs for Strokestown.
The date for the diary is Sunday, September 20th – a great day out for vintage enthusiasts, families and anyone with an interest in the machinery, skills, and traditions of rural Ireland!
