THE BIG 50

29.07.14

Filed Under: News

50

‘The BIG 50….’ ‘Oldest Steam Rally in Ireland celebrates its 50th Birthday Premier event in the calendar of steam and vintage shows in Ireland Issued on Monday 28 July 2014.  The official launch of the 50th National Steam rally was held today in Phoenix Park Dublin with will be held in Stradbally, County Laois on Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th August 2014.

This is the oldest steam rally in Ireland, with the first ever rally held in Stradbally, Laois in 1965. Steam enthusiasts and families from all over Ireland are expected at the premier event in the calendar of steam and vintage shows throughout Ireland.

To celebrate the special 50th anniversary, a whole host of additional entertainment is being organized this year including:

Mr. Ken Graham, President of the Irish Steam Preservation Society commented: ‘We are very excited about welcoming our old and new visitors alike to our special 50th rally this year. We’ve all worked hard to ensure that it’s going to be one of our biggest – and best – rallies to date. Not only have we extra vintage exhibits, but we’ve also got extra trade stands to cater for all types of visitors, including auto-jumble, fashion, arts, crafts, jewellery and much much more’, Mr Graham said.

In addition to the array of vintage on display, numerous family events will be held over the August bank holiday weekend including a carnival, sheep dog demonstrations, and a steam train which will be giving train rides through the woodlands of the Cosby estate. Steam threshing, stone crushing and sawing timber will also be part of the fun.

An interesting addition this year will be John Hoctor and Packy O’Brien from County Tipperary exhibiting ‘loy’ digging, which is a form of manual ploughing which was used before and during famine times. This is the sort of digging that was done before any ploughs or tractors were used and involves using a loy to dig the ground, turn over a sod and then sowing the seed potato into the ground.

A free car park and picnic area available to all attendees over the two day event. Admission: €10 adults; Students/OAPs/teenagers: €5.  Children are free. 

For further information, see www.irishsteam.ie