Trim Haymaking Festival: A Traditional Day Out in Meath, Ireland
Looking for traditional things to do in Meath, Ireland? The Trim Haymaking Festival offers a unique way to experience rural heritage, traditional skills, music and family entertainment.
Held in the historic town of Trim, County Meath, the annual festival celebrates the cultural history of rural Ireland. The event combines traditional haymaking with vintage machinery, music, crafts, demonstrations, food and activities for visitors of different ages.
The festival takes place at the Porchfields in Trim and is organised by the Scurlogstown Olympiad. Meath County Council also lists the Haymaking Festival among Trim’s annual festivals and events.
What Is the Trim Haymaking Festival?
The Trim Haymaking Festival is a celebration of traditional Irish rural life.
Its central theme is the traditional process of bringing in the first hay of the year. The festival demonstrates how farmers once worked the land before modern agricultural machinery transformed farming.
Visitors can see traditional haymaking carried out by hand and with vintage machinery. The organisers also showcase old farming methods, traditional skills, music and rural pastimes.
The festival has grown into a major community event since the Scurlogstown Olympiad Haymaking Festival moved to the Porchfields in 1999. According to the organisers, the haymaking festival has been held there since 2001.
Traditional Haymaking in Trim
Traditional haymaking is at the heart of the festival.
Before modern agricultural equipment became common, Irish farmers relied on tools such as scythes and horse-drawn equipment to harvest and gather hay. The Trim festival recreates elements of this work so visitors can see these traditional techniques in action.
The official festival website explains that the main event focuses on bringing in the first hay of the year, either by hand or with vintage machinery.
Scythe Cutting Competition
One of the festival’s main competitions is the Scythe Cutting Competition.
Participants demonstrate the skill and physical effort once required to cut crops with a traditional scythe. The competition connects visitors with an important part of Ireland’s agricultural history while adding an entertaining element to the festival.
Vintage Machinery and Rural Displays
Vintage machinery is another major attraction at the Trim Haymaking Festival.
Visitors can see older agricultural equipment and demonstrations that highlight how farming methods have changed over the years.
The 2025 festival, which marked the event’s 25th edition, featured vintage machinery exhibitions, a large haymaking display and traditional music. The event was scheduled to welcome families, visitors and heritage enthusiasts from Ireland and beyond.
The festival’s wider programme also includes traditional crafts, markets, exhibitions and family activities.
Traditional Irish Music and Entertainment
Music plays an important role in the festival atmosphere.
The event features traditional Irish music, dancing and other forms of entertainment. In 2026, the programme included performances by the Brian Bru Céilí Band, Eddie Quinn and Ray Murtagh.
The organisers also describe the festival as a place for poetry, live music and traditional and country performances.
This combination of music, heritage and outdoor entertainment makes the event suitable for families as well as visitors interested in Irish culture.
Family Activities at the Festival
The Trim Haymaking Festival is designed as a family event.
Depending on the year’s programme, visitors can find activities such as:
- Traditional haymaking demonstrations
- Vintage machinery displays
- Arts and crafts
- Local food
- Children’s activities
- Pet farms
- Markets and traders
- Traditional music
- Dancing
- Agricultural displays
- Rural heritage demonstrations
The festival’s official website says the event includes children’s areas, traders, markets, pet farms and exhibitions.
The programme can change from year to year, so visitors should check the official festival information before attending.
The Great Donkey Derby
The festival also celebrates the role of animals in traditional rural life.
The official festival website features The Great Donkey Derby, which highlights the historical role of donkeys in rural communities. Donkeys were traditionally used to carry turf, straw and other farm goods and to pull carts.
The event adds another distinctive element to the festival’s rural theme.
Traditional Crafts and Skills
The festival provides opportunities to see traditional crafts and skills that played an important role in rural Irish life.
Demonstrations and displays can include traditional woodworking, weaving and other crafts. The 2026 programme included Eoin Reardon demonstrating traditional woodcraft and Bréidín na Bóinne showcasing Boyne Valley tweed weaving.
These demonstrations help visitors understand how practical skills were passed from one generation to another.
Trim Haymaking Festival 2026: Latest Update
The 2026 Trim Haymaking Festival took place on Sunday, 21 June 2026, at the Porchfields in Trim.
The event was promoted as a day of traditional music, vintage displays, local food, crafts and family entertainment. The programme included working donkeys, a dog show, a funfair, traditional woodcraft and Boyne Valley tweed weaving. Live music was provided by Eddie Quinn, Ray Murtagh and the Brian Bru Céilí Band.
Contemporary coverage before the event reported admission at €15 for adults, €10 for OAPs and students, with children under 16 admitted free.
As the 2026 event has now passed, visitors planning a future trip should check the festival’s official website for the next confirmed date, programme and admission arrangements.
A Weather-Related Update from 2025
The festival’s recent history also shows why visitors should check official updates close to the event date.
The 2025 edition was scheduled for 15 June and marked the festival’s 25th edition. However, organisers cancelled the event because heavy rain had left the ground in poor condition. RTÉ reported that the decision was made on health and safety grounds.
The cancellation was not rescheduled later that year.
This is a useful reminder that outdoor events can change because of weather conditions. Always check the latest information before travelling.
Things to Do in Trim Besides the Haymaking Festival
Trim offers more than the annual haymaking celebration.
The town is particularly known for Trim Castle, a major medieval landmark beside the River Boyne. Meath County Council describes the town as home to Western Europe’s largest Norman castle, built in the late 12th century.
Visitors can combine the festival with other attractions and activities around Trim and the wider Boyne Valley.
A visit can include:
- Trim Castle
- River Boyne walks
- Historic ruins
- Local shops and cafés
- Traditional pubs
- Cultural events
- Other Boyne Valley attractions
The Porchfields themselves are an established event space in Trim and host the Haymaking Festival and other major community events.
When Is the Trim Haymaking Festival Held?
The Trim Haymaking Festival is traditionally held during the summer.
The 2026 edition took place on 21 June, while the 2025 edition was scheduled for 15 June.
Because the date can vary from year to year, do not rely on older travel articles when planning your visit.
Check the official festival website and the Boyne Valley tourism calendar for the latest information.
Why Visit the Trim Haymaking Festival?
The festival offers something different from conventional tourist attractions.
Instead of simply looking at historical objects, visitors can watch traditional farming methods, listen to Irish music, explore crafts and participate in a community celebration.
It also provides an opportunity to learn more about the agricultural traditions that shaped rural Ireland.
For families, the combination of demonstrations, animals, food, music and children’s activities creates a varied day out. For visitors interested in Irish heritage, the traditional skills and farming displays provide a closer look at rural life.
Plan Your Visit to Trim
If you plan to attend a future Trim Haymaking Festival, check the following before travelling:
- Confirm the festival date.
- Check the official programme.
- Confirm admission prices.
- Check the venue and parking arrangements.
- Look for weather updates.
- Check accessibility information if required.
- Allow time to explore Trim.
- Consider visiting Trim Castle and the River Boyne.
- Bring suitable clothing for an outdoor event.
Most importantly, check the official festival website shortly before your visit because programmes and arrangements can change.
Final Thoughts
The Trim Haymaking Festival is a distinctive celebration of rural Ireland in the heart of County Meath. Traditional haymaking, vintage machinery, Irish music, crafts, food and family entertainment come together to create a community-focused heritage event.
The festival’s connection with the Scurlogstown Olympiad also gives it a long-running local tradition. Its programme continues to showcase aspects of rural life while providing entertainment for modern visitors.
If you are searching for traditional things to do in Meath, Ireland, consider adding Trim and its Haymaking Festival to your travel plans. Just remember to check the latest official event information before making the journey.
