The Farm to host spectacular End of Season Harvest Festival

11 September 2013

It will literally be a case of "all systems go" at The Farm, Grenagh as it plays host to a spectacular End of Season Harvest Festival on Sunday 15th September from 12pm. The Farm will showcase an impressive working display of machinery from the 1940s, '50s, '60s and early '70s, including a silage harvesting demonstration of single-chop, double-chop, and very early systems. A collection of over 10 combine harvesters, dating back to a Massey Harris from the 1940s, which was bought in Merchants Quay in 1949; right up to a Clayson Newholland, which was bought in the OK Garages, Cork in 1973, will be in action on the traditional working farm throughout the afternoon.

Mick Forde, owner of The Farm and organiser of the End of Season Harvest Festival said "The Clayson Newholland cut corn on this very farm back in 1975 and on the day will be driven by John and Willy O'Connell of Blarney, who operated the combine until the machine was retired in 1998. We'll also have a number of Massey Ferguson combines that were purchased in the OK Garages when they were MF dealers and which were used locally for many years."

Mick added "We have a traditional operating farm here and the End of Season Harvest Festival offers an opportunity to showcase the fantastic array of machines we have and the advancements that were made over the decades. If anyone has any rare or unusual machines that they would like to demonstrate on September 15th, give me a call on (086) 2555310 to discuss it." Following the machinery display, the straw will be baled, collected and loaded using, the then modern, systems of the time. The field will then be ploughed, harrowed, and sown again using a collection of traditional tractors and machines, with the help of some local enthusiasts and collectors. The ploughing demonstration will range from the very early single furrow butterfly Ferguson, right up to a six furrow pulled by a County four wheel drive.

The End of Season Harvest Festival, starting at 12pm, is open to everyone and promises a fun day out for all the family, who can explore The Farm's Heritage Exhibition and traditional farmyard, and enjoy something tasty in the café and restaurant serving great farm fresh food and home baking; while vintage machinery enthusiasts are sure to delight at the fantastic machinery displays throughout the afternoon. Harvesting will depend on the weather, so check out The Farm Grenagh on Facebook for updates. Admission to the End of Season Harvest Festival is €8 per person, with family deals available.

A share of the proceeds taken on the gate at the End of Season Harvest Festival will be added to the total funds raised at a coffee morning The Farm will host on Saturday 21st September from 10am -12pm in aid of Marymount Hospice.

Situated on 40 acres of farmland, The Farm in Grenagh, North Cork, is open daily from 10am- 5.30pm and is a vibrant place to learn about the history and heritage of Irish life and farming. For further information see http://visitthefarm.ie.