The Wexford Mummers

Now you may well say that this is a Wicklow and not a Wexford blog, but the Wexford Mummers did a star turn at the Carnew Heritage Day in Carnew, Co Wicklow on Sunday last and therefore qualify for inclusion in this esteemed blog by way of association.

So, what is this Mumming?  Now very rare in Ireland and concentrated largely in Co Wexford, Mummers combine dancing, mime and pageantry, much as was performed in medieval times. The rhythmic beating of wooden swords against each other is a feature of the entertainment.

Up to twelve participants are called-on by their Captain and each has a long rhyming introduction describing the circumstances and deeds of the character which he represents. Each has a ‘sword’ like a flat wooden ruler about two feet long. In two lines they go into an intricate step-dance accompanied by fast clashing of the swords. Teams dress alike in sashes like baldrics, and special hats.

Carnew Heritage Day II

We're back in Carnew, Co Wicklow for another look at the Vintage Working Day, organised by Carnew Heritage Club.

Left, the guys from Carnew Heritage Club demonstrate how to dismantle a vintage Ferguson tractor in 15 minutes using only a single Ferguson spanner. And then, they have to put it back together!

Look and learn - these kids are engrossed in the sheep shearing demonstration.

Below, fond memories.

Carnew Heritage Day

Sunday last, we criss-crossed the county from our base outside Wicklow Town to the rally in Russborough House near Blessington and then on to Carnew on the Wicklow/Wexford border for the Carnew Heritage Working Day.










Organised by Carnew Heritage Club, it was a fun packed day with something for everyone -  Vintage ploughing, harvesting and threshing; vintage steam engines, tractors, trucks and machinery; sheep shearing and even some music!

Don't Fence Me In

Now, avid followers of this blog will remember the Breakout where we were invaded by a herd of cattle from a neighbouring field and the brouhaha in rounding up the said culprits and despatching them back from whence they came.  Well, the problem has been solved, insomuch as we have now been fenced in, by means of a barbed wire fence, or rather, our potential adversaries, namely the cattle and horses from the surrounding fields, have been denied the pleasure of our intimate company and have, themselves, been fenced out!

Well, I don't think our equine friends pictured here are too happy with the situation and, in particular, my efforts to cajole the filly foal to get a little closer to the camera.

In fact, I'd say this mare is not for turning!

Harvest Time

The weather has been reasonably settled round these parts for the last few weeks so the harvest is well under way and, although you can't see it in these photos,  the neighbouring farms are a hive of activity from early morning.  Maybe I'll have to get up a little earlier to check out the action!

Tinahely Show VI

Completing our visit to the Tinahely Agricultural Show, we venture into the poultry marquee for a peek at the exotic bantams.  Above, the winning Modern Game breed, not a true bantam, i.e. a naturally small bird with no related large fowl from which it was miniaturized, unlike the birds pictured left.

That's it from the 2010 Tinahely Show - home please!

Tinahely Show V

At the Tinahely Agricultural Show, there was something for everyone, so, here in the Craft Village we see the winner of the Best Exhibit.  Earlier in the week, I posted on the Hat Fest at the Wicklow Regatta and one of the photos was of the Overall Winner.  At the time, I had no idea who the designer was and now, to my great surprise, all is revealed. The two hats on the left are the ones shown in my Overall Winner photo, seen here!  The designer is Sheila Shannon, from Greenane, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, and above and left is part of her brilliant exhibit in the Craft Village. You can visit her website here.

Tinahely Show IV

Come on, don't hang about, it's showtime!

Yes, showtime and the Dog Show at the Tinahely Agricultural Show was a great success, with a huge attendance.

Left, this adorable Irish Wolfhound on his way to the Best Guard Dog class.










Below, well of course, it's a dog's life!

Tinahely Show III

Old and new on display at the Tinahely Agricultural Show.  Above, Bessie the vintage steam engine and left, old farm tractors.



Meanwhile, below, what are these guys doing at an agricultural show?

Tinahely Show II

We're back at the Tinahely Agricultural Show and this lady is so pleased with her success in the 2 wheel carriage driving class for donkeys.


Well, it is the only way to travel!






And below,  smiles all round for these class winners:

Tinahely Show

Here in Ireland, it's August Bank Holiday (yesterday) and that means we made our way to the annual Tinahely Agricultural Show, Tinahely, County Wicklow, where a dull but not unpleasant day saw a huge turnout for the 75th anniversary of the event. One of the largest agricultural shows in the country, Tinahely Show is a great family day out with something for everybody - classes for cattle, beef sheep, horses, ponies, donkeys showjumping, carriage driving - machinery exhibits, craft section, home produce, art, farm & garden, a poultry section, dog show and even a scheduled world record attempt at sheaf tossing!

Don't mess with this guy -  he is big!

So chic, these girls, with their charges!

And Pigs Might...

Well they just might, but here we are in Arklow, Co Wicklow for the closing day of the Seabreeze Festival and one of the most popular events - The Pig Derby - so, place your bets and off we go!






But first, let the Garda Mounted Division entertain you.












Winner alright, pay out!  Well, actually, it's the one at the bottom of the picture - and I missed him!

Breakout!

The trouble with living next to a field where horses and young cattle are grazing is the occasional uninvited guests! Pictured above, the cattle are about to invade. Right, the round up and below, the last one back through the breach.