Oldtown was the first village in Ireland to receive Rural Electrification in 1947 - 75 years ago. We are celebrating this with a Festival on 24th and 25th June by recreating events and pastimes of that era. To give a sample, there will be sheep dog trials and displays of sheep shearing and hand milking. There will be a display of vintage tractors and a traction steam engine. There will be plenty of fun for all the family with wellie throwing and horseshoe ring competitions, a children's pet show, a farmers and craft market and a tug of war competition. The Mummers will also be performing. There will be set dancing, street musicians playing traditional Irish music, and finishing off with a ceili. A camogie match will be played in honor of Molly Adrien - Cumann na mBan Volunteer. ESB archives are displaying electrical equipment of the 1940's. The community are erecting a monument commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Rural Electrification, this will stand proud in our village for decades to come. We hope the Festival will act as a reminder for younger generations of the achievements in 1947, when a young Irish state rolled out Rural Electrification, and the impact this had on Irish people, which could be described as the start of a social revolution. 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.