A treasure trove of farm history at Dún na Sí Machinery Museum

Founded in 1985 the Dun na Sí Heritage Centre has continued to grow in a well managed and well presented manner. One of the latest additions to the Heritage Centre is the Machinery Museum which actually contains far more than just machinery. I recall being at the ceremonial turning of the sod, by pure coincidence, on July 13, 2004. My latest visit to the museum was on July 13, 2009. The purpose-built building is an appropriate location for the many carefully restored items of farm machinery, some of which probably look better now than they did when brand new. Members of the Moate Vintage Club have played a vital part in the accumulation of this treasure trove of farming history. The museum also houses a model village donated by PJ Healy from Collooney in Co Sligo who must have spent long hours putting together this display which is in a most appropriate setting for a work of its kind. The collection of farm implements includes a selection of saws and various cutting implements from many different eras. The farm machinery includes an 1839 Pierce of Wexford Potato Sprayer as well as a selection of hay saving machines from both horse drawn and early tractor days. A recent Vintage Club charity tractor run which took place last Sunday week, departing from Dun na Sí and heading as far as Glasson and back again was a poignant reminder to the members of the recent loss suffered by both Dun na Sí and the Vintage club with the death of Jimmy Bermingham. The Vintage Club members paid their own tribute to a true gentleman when the line of tractors interrupted their journey and all pulled into the cemetery in Mount Temple with the members calling in to pay a silent tribute at Jimmy"s grave. An appropriate salute to a man who made a massive contribution to both Dun na Sí and the Machinery Museum. The work at Dun na Sí is ongoing with each section of the site holding something of interest for all ages. A visit to this museum is highly recommended.