The Irish Steam Preservation Society will host the 61st National Steam Rally in Stradbally on the August Bank Holiday weekend, with two new attractions added to the lineup.
One of Ireland’s longest-running heritage events, the rally is renowned for its “unique cultural and historical significance to County Laois and beyond.”
Two days of vintage displays, live entertainment, working heritage exhibitions, and family fun await, with tickets available here.
One of the weekend’s major attractions will be the arrival of three vintage fire engines from different cities across the United States.
By far the largest of these fire engines is formerly of Glen Cove in Long Island, New York and will be escorted from Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, to Stradbally for the Rally on Sunday, August 3.
The giant fire truck is 60ft long, weighs 58 tonne, reaches 50km/h, and will be fully operational at the Rally, including the extending ladder.
With a V12 engine that manages just 2 miles per gallon, the New York fire truck will cost an eye-watering €1,000 in fuel to make the 110km round-trip from Kilbeggan to Stradbally and back.
The convoy escorting this bohemoth will include fire engines from Laois and Kildare and will be making a pit-stop along the way to refuel at The Gandon in Emo, on Sunday afternoon.
Former Paralympian and five-time World Record holder Shane McLoughlin will be part of the event as he looks to add a sixth record to his career.
The Monaghan man, who contracted gangrene while working on a farm and had his left leg amputation below the knee in 2012, broke his own Guinness World Record earlier this year at an event in New York by pulling a 40-ton truck.
McLoughlin is hoping his sport will become more prevalent and possibly gain a spot in the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Part of that quest will come at this year’s Stradbally Steam Rally when two fire engines will be hitched together as McLoughlin attempts to shatter his own record with what would be a 45-tonne pull.
The rally takes place across the 40-acre grounds of the Cosby Estate in Stradbally – a unique venue complete with its own working narrow-gauge railway, which beloved steam engine ‘Róisín’ will be running on throughout the event.
Some of the other highlights of this year’s event will include:
- A special gathering of International Tractors;
- A huge display of steam engines, vintage cars, tractors, trucks, vintage machinery, displays, and demonstrations;
- A Country Music Lineup featuring Michael English, Robert Mizzell, Declan Nerney and many more
- Miniature steam engines, funfair, artisan food, trade stands;
- The Steam and Vintage Parade in Stradbally at 7pm, on Saturday.
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