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Harvest Day makes a welcome return on Sunday September 20th 2026, 11am to 5pm.

Join us on Sunday September 20th as the annual gathering of the Harvest will be celebrated in style at Bunratty Folk Park with a traditional 19th century Harvest Day.

On Harvest Sunday come and experience a flavour of rural Irish life from over 100 years ago. Vintage machinery and tractor owners will travel from far and wide to proudly display their machines, local craftspeople will demonstrate and exhibit their wares, there will be music, song, dance and more for what promises to be a great family day out as we celebrate Ireland rich agricultural heritage.

Normal Admission Rates Apply

Threshing & Vintage Machinery

Ireland's Agricultural Heritage

A traditional threshing machine will be put to work giving visitors an insight into how neighbours and friends once gathered during the harvest in the spirit of the "meitheal". It is a time-honoured tradition and friends regale in stories of past harvest days which bring a natural close to the harvesting of the wheat or oat crop for this year's season.

Traditional Threshing Demonstrations take place at 12.30pm to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 4.00pm.

Enthusiasts from the Clare Vintage and Engine Tractor Association will be on hand to speak about their lovingly preserved artefacts and the evolution of the vintage farm machinery on display on the day, including tractors, and stationary engines. Visitors will also view a range of various ploughs, hay rakes, Root Cutter (Pulper), Turnip and a Mangel Seeder.

Renowned sheaf-throwing expert and record holder Michael O’Brien, makes a welcome return, to demonstrate his unique skill in sheaf throwing, not for the faint-hearted or the uninitiated! Sheaves are bundles of rushes tightly bound together by baling twine. Marvel at the heights he can attain in tossing the sheaves a considerable distance. Contenders including men and women will gather on site to attempt to challenge Michael’s record.
The sheaf throwing competition will commence at 12pm.

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Witness Artisans at Work

Basket-Making
Join skilled basket maker and proud Mayo man, Tom Delaney, as he continues the time-honored tradition of basket weaving. Watch as Tom expertly crafts traditional-style baskets, focusing on creating pieces that are both strong and durable. Every basket is made using locally sourced willow, ensuring authenticity and quality.

Basket weaving demonstrations will take place from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

Blacksmith
Step into our blacksmith’s forge and experience the ancient art of ironworking in action. Hear the rhythmic clang of hammer on anvil, breathe in the distinctive scent of hot iron, and discover the rich history behind this enduring craft in conversation with Eoin, our resident blacksmith.

Spinning
Join Elizabeth O'Connor as she demonstrate the ancient craft of wool spinning using the drop spindle. With wool sourced from local sheep, they carry on a tradition that dates back over 6,000 years, to when Neolithic farmers first introduced sheep to Ireland.

Spinning demonstrations will take place in the Loop Head Farmhouse from 11.00am to 4.30pm.

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Traditional Crafts

Music, Song & Dance

Bringing Communities Together

The essence of a Harvest Day was bringing communities together, to support, celebrate and toast the end of a good season.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park are delighted to host an array of dancers, musicians and performers from across the Banner County as part of our 2026 Traditional Harvest Day.

Lively traditional Irish music can be enjoyed from members of Cludhmór and the Ennistymon Comhaltas on the Village Street from 12.30pm to 4.00pm.

Adding to the atmosphere will be the talented dancers from Three Crowns Dance Academy, who will put on an exciting display of step dancing from 1.00pm to 4.00pm, also taking place on the Village Street.

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Experience Homebaking & School Life

Traditional Baking
No Harvest Day would be complete without the inviting aroma of freshly baked goods wafting from an open turf fire. At 12pm and 3.30pm, the Bunratty Bean an Tí will be on hand to showcase the timeless skill of griddle bread baking. Visitors to the Golden Vale Farmhouse can watch this classic technique in action showcasing the traditional way of baking over an open fire.

Visit the Old Schoolhouse
On Sunday, 20th September, the village schoolmaster will be on duty, ready to welcome both children and adults as they bring their customary sod of turf to fuel the tiny schoolroom fire. Step inside the schoolhouse, where the walls are adorned with maps, nature study charts, and gospel illustrations, and experience what lessons were like in days gone by.

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Meet The Characters

Meet The Farm Animals

Native Irish & Heritage Breeds

Did you know that at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, we take great pride in preserving and nurturing native Irish and heritage breeds of animals?

Come and meet the members of our Folk Park family including our beautiful Irish Wolfhounds, Rían and Míde, Kerry Bog Ponies, Irish Red Deer, Shetland Ponies, Pigs, Chickens, Silkie Hens, Peacock, Soay Sheep and Goats.

We are deeply proud to showcase these animals in their natural environment, where they can roam freely and graze happily in the paddocks that surround the Folk Park.

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Seanchaí Balor O'Brien

Join Seanchaí, Balor O'Brien, on the charming Village Street, where history comes alive with every word as he weaves tales of ancient legends, local folklore, and the wisdom of generations past.

Storytelling is a tradition synonymous with County Clare and Balor combines folklore, history and heritage, connecting stories to weave complex otherworldly narratives for the audience. Stories are adapted to suit the needs of the audience and to immerse those of all ages in the experience. So come in, find a cosy spot and be whisked away to a world where the old ways are still very much alive.

Enjoy Balor's captivating tales from 11.00am to 4.30pm

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Traditional Harvest Day

Threshing & Vintage Machinery

Traditional Crafts

Music, Song & Dance

Meet The Characters

Meet The Farm Animals

Traditional Storytelling