Farming and Country Life is a major event that will showcase interactive exhibits, dramatic re-enactments, lectures and reconstructions to bring to life rural Ireland from 100 years ago.

When arriving at the Teagasc Mellow Campus, Athenry, visitors will travel through a time tunnel to a town from 1916.

They will be met by a hive of activity, with old machinery, livestock, a town square having a busy Fair Day, and a rural cottage and farm, with poultry, cattle, sheep and pigs.

ADVERTISEMENT

GPO replica

A life-size replica of the GPO has been created at Mellow Campus for the event. This impressive building was created as the stage for Wrecking the Rising, a Tile Films production for TG4, before making its way to Athenry.

The building was assembled by a group of carpenters and painters to recreate the GPO from O’Connell Street in the fields of Athenry.

The GPO is central to the 1916 Rising and creates the link between rural Ireland and our rich farming heritage with that of the military Rising.

Throughout the two days of the event, the GPO will become home to a number of dramatic re-enactments and plays, music and dance. Those working in the GPO will be in 1916 attire, which will create an atmosphere of 1916 Ireland.

This magnificent building is a must see at Farming and Country Life 1916.

Time capsule

Teagasc invites you to contribute to a once in a lifetime commemorative time capsule at Farming and Country Life 1916. The 1916 GPO will re-open during the event, where people will have the opportunity to “post” a souvenir postcard, which will be delivered 50 years after the event.

Write a postcard for yourself 50 years into the future, or send a message to friends and family!

Programme of discussions

A number of panel discussions will take place over the two days of the event. These discussions will cover a variety of topics, and we would encourage people to get involved. A number of moderators will be facilitating these discussions, with special guest Sharon Ní Bheoláin, RTÉ taking part in these sessions.

The programme of discussions includes food from the time, farming during the war, horsepower, education and health through the 1900s, and people from the Rising, to name but a few. These discussions are designed to be interactive, with a number of experts presenting information and taking questions and insights from the audience.

Competition for best in 1916 attire

This fun event will see drama groups, volunteers and organisations dress in rural Ireland 1916 attire. As you step back in time, why not consider joining us and dressing up in 1916 attire too?

We have a competition that will run on both days, where visitors who have dressed for the event will be in with a chance of winning top prizes. This competition will add to the atmosphere on the day, where we will have lots of people dressed up to make our town, cottage and farm as authentic as possible.

Bring your artefacts

Do you have some old artefacts in your house? Ever wanted to know where these artefacts came from? Or what they might be worth? Then Farming and Country Life 1916 is for you.

The National Museum of Ireland will be on hand over the two days of the event.

A number of professionals from the museum will meet with you and inspect your artefact, providing information and insights into where it may have come from.

Where, when and more

Farming and Country Life 1916 will take place from 10am to 5pm on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 June. The site is located close to Athenry town and is easily accessible from all major routes via car, rail and bus, with extensive car parking available.

Friday 10 and Saturday 11 June will be a once in a lifetime celebration of rural Irish history from the past century and will reflect on our deep heritage of farming and life in rural Ireland.

For more information on the event please see www.teagasc.ie/1916 or visit us on twitter or Facebook; @FarmCountry1916 and www.facebook.com/farmingandcountrylife1916