Teagasc announces main rural 1916 event in June
It will take place at the Teagasc Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co Galway, on June 10 and 11. At the launch, Teagasc director Prof Gerry Boyle said: “This will be the most significant 1916 commemorative event to take place in rural Ireland.
“I want to acknowledge the enormous co-operation we have received from all of our collaborators. I also want to acknowledge our title sponsor, FBD, who have been extremely supportive”.
The event will be free to attend. The site will incorporate picnic areas and a packed schedule for all ages. The expected attendance is 50,000.
The event will provide high- quality educational, authentic information, and will accurately retell the story of local 1916 military events, and of farming and country life of the era.
It will include interactive exhibits, dramatic re-enactments, lectures, and reconstructions.
Many farming, rural, community and voluntary, local and national organisations will participate, including IFA, GAA, National Ploughing Association, UCD, ICA, the Museum of Country Life, the Agricultural Museum in Johnstown Castle, the GAA Museum, the Department of Folklore in UCD, and many local heritage and historical societies.
The event is being organised around seven themes: Ireland 1916 (the 1916 Rising), Farm Family and Rural Life, the Land, Education and Co-operation, Mechanisation of Farming, Livestock, and Sporting and Cultural Life.
A life-size replica of the GPO will form the backdrop for a major interactive Ireland 1916 display.
A large equine display and live demonstrations will showcase working horses of the 1916 era.
The craft and artisan producers’ section will give live demonstrations of the skills of the time.
Family entertainment will include a community circus.
Panel discussions, debates and lectures relating to rural life and farming will take place.
An interactive replica of the 1916 farm house; live hurling and football matches in the attire of the day; agricultural education in 1916; and a rural electrification display will be among the event highlights.
A farm mechanisation section will include steam- powered tractors and other vintage machinery.
The food of 1916 will also be in focus.
