Ballyboy N.S.

Every Year Ballyboy has a Threshing Festival. Below is an article highlighting some of the events from last years Threshing festival.

Biggest threshing ever in Ballyboy

Published Date: 01 October 2008 - Offaly Express Article

FORGET the congestion in Cuffsgrange for the National Ploughing Championships, last Sunday saw well in excess of two thousand people cram into a three acre field in sun soaked Ballyboy for the annual threshing and vintage festival. This attendance smashed any previous record at the now widely renowned event.

The event has been growing year on year and it easy to see what attracts people in such numbers. From traditional butter making to face painting, griddle bread to bouncing castles there really was something for everyone.

Indeed both griddle bread and butter sold out with many people disappointed, and there were also the colcannon and pancakes to keep energy levels up on the long sunny evening. This is just a small sample of the wide variety of attractions on offer.

The threshing itself was a real demonstration of teamwork and drew very large crowds all day and the display of vintage tractors, machinery and cars was impressive.

The proceeds from the day will be divided between local and national charities and the committee would like to thank most sincerely all those who helped both on the day and the lead up, not forgetting the very successful 'American Tea Party' held earlier in the month in conjunction with the threshing.

This festival is testament to the fact that the possibilities are endless if people work together for a common cause, Ballyboy is a very small village on a crossroads in the middle of Offaly but as the saying goes "from tiny acorns….."