Threshing is only one part of the Moynalty Steam Threshing festival - it has all of the countryside in it. There is open-air cookery, including the roasting of a whole pig, and various breads a-baking at roaring stoves. There are swings and roundabouts for children and adults, all the fun of the fair. There is churning going on and crafts on show. You will see magnificent workhorses in the finest of livery. And, just breaking in, the whole is spread out over a magnificent field known as Crocawella, starting high above the river Borora, then sweeping down to where the water snakes around its base, on its way through the village and so towards the Blackwater and Boyne.
But there is more to say of the amusements and diversions going on in this field of fields. There will be mudturf making. You may not have seen that before. There will be a "full range of farmyard animals and pets" on show. There may be an awful lot of people who have never even seen a chicken darting into a hedge in these days of industrial raising of animals. Much less been butted by a goat. "Daddy, what's that hairy animal with horns"? Honest, you should see the intensity of the some young gazers as they lean over the sides of the enclosure where the domestic animals are kept.
You are going to be surprised at the diversity of what is on show. There is a small museum of everyday country crafts. There is a tea tent of course, and the vintage cars are well matched with the farm and domestic machinery. There is a water wheel. There are field demonstrations of reaping, binding, ploughing and other activities. But many people come to see the old, belching, roaring giants which thresh as your grandfather's father used to. Strong men have been seen to shed a tear at the memories of old times and long-gone family members.
The smoke - which comes out from high up, won't get in your eyes, but for all our modern and useful gadgetry, these old monsters cast a spell of their own. It's a great day out. There are more items that didn't get into this resume of the programme. The car parking is free. Children get in free, adults pay £4. The stewarding and car parking is highly efficient. Next Sunday, August 9th. Just a few miles from Kells, County Meath. Y