SOUNDS MORE often associated with industrial cities 100 years ago than the fields of modern-day Co Laois filled the air at the 47th Stradbally National Steam Rally yesterday. The piercing whistles of steam engines could be heard throughout the overcast but mostly dry day at what has become one of Ireland’s longest running voluntarily organised festivals.
On show alongside the steam engines were sheep dog and hurley-making demonstrations, dozens of model Ford cars, carnival rides and tractors as well as a plethora of food and merchandising stalls.
Some families arrived at the two-day event well before the official start of activities on Sunday.
“We’ve been here since Friday camping out,” said Amanda O’Keefe from Artane in Dublin, who remained in high spirits despite having to change tents twice due to flooding. “It’s a lovely atmosphere, the people here are really friendly and it’s safe for the kids.”
Joining Amanda for a morning fry beside their tents were her cousins Johnny and Francis O’Keefe, both of whom live in Dublin. “It’s the first time I’ve come and I’ll definitely be coming back next year, the atmosphere is brilliant,” said Johnny.
Inside the central enclosure, some 200m from the car park and camping area, lay the main attractions. Here, amid the stalls, carnival rides and parked machinery, a large square was set aside for parades, demonstrations and competitions.
“It’s lovely to look at a nice steam engine when it’s preserved and then they’re scarce – and when anything goes scarce, everybody wants one,” said Ken Graham, president of the Irish Steam Preservation Society.
For the owners of the machines, the rally is something they look forward to all year.
John Hendy, who owns a Model T Ford car and hails from Stradbally itself, described the rally as “a great social event”.
One of the most prestigious titles to be won over the two days is the Ossie Bennett Cup for the best turned-out machine. “It’s in memory of my father who was in steam engines all his life, that was his life,” said Ossie Bennett jnr.
“It is in his memory because he was in the first rally here in Stradbally.” Ossie, from Johnstown in Co Kilkenny, recalled coming to steam rallies as a youngster.
This year, they came from even farther afield: Tomoi Watchorn had travelled with her daughter Mia (2) from Japan. “She loves the cars and the trains even though she’s a girl,” said Tomoi, who was brought to the show by her mother-in-law, Gladys Watchorn from Portarlington, Co Laois.
Although attendance was down on Sunday, organisers got a boost yesterday as the sunshine led to an estimated 7,000 people coming to the rally, up from 5,000 on the Monday in 2010.