Town and country meet at feast of rural life

IT was a midsummer feast of country life in which Bruce Springsteen, a sheep shearer, a wool spinner and even Arnie the Pig played various roles.

The sprawling 30-hectare Mellows College campus in Athenry, Co Galway, was the venue for Farmfest and BioEnergy ’08, which attracted an estimated 30,000 visitors in glorious sunshine yesterday.

More than 400 exhibitors showcased all aspects of Ireland’s ever changing rural life across tented villages and outdoor exhibition spaces.