Save the date for an exciting commemorative event being staged by Teagasc in partnership with Galway County Council. Farming and Country Life 1916, will be Ireland’s largest rural 1916 commemorative event and will take place at the historic Mellows Campus, Athenry on 10th and 11th June.
Launching the event, Prof. Gerry Boyle, Director of Teagasc said “This will be the most significant 1916 commemorative event to take place in rural Ireland. I want to acknowledge the enormous cooperation we have received from all of our collaborators. I also want to acknowledge our title sponsor, FBD, who have been extremely supportive of this project”.
The event will be a free to attend and will appeal to a wide audience across the generations, urban and rural, farm families, schools, the Diaspora and visitors to Ireland. The event will incorporate a packed schedule of entertainment for all ages and picnic area will be available. Expected attendance is 50,000 making this the largest 1916 commemoration to be hosted outside of Dublin.
The event will reflect on an important part of life in Ireland at the beginning of the last century and provide high quality educational, authentic exhibits that will accurately tell the story of local 1916 military events. There will be a series of highly interactive villages that will explore all aspects of farming and country life in Ireland 100 years ago and will chart the major developments in the first half of the 20th century.
A large number of farming, rural, community and voluntary, local and national organisations will participate in the event.
Event Highlights
• Performances from musicians, actors and various artists from across the country
• A life size replica of the GPO will form the backdrop for a major interactive ‘Ireland 1916’ display.
• A large equine display will showcase working horses of the 1916 era and include live demonstrations
• The craft and artisan producers’ village will demonstrate the skills that were part of life in 1916.
• Family entertainment area including community circus
• Panel discussions, debates and lectures relating to rural life and farming.
• Livestock from the 1916 era.
• Interactive replica of the 1916 farm house.
• Live hurling and football matches in attire of the day.
• Agricultural education in 1916.
• Rural electrification display.
• Farm mechanisation – steam powered tractors, vintage machinery including live demonstrations.