A Nostalgic Journey: the magic of the Steam era. Shane's Castle was built in the 14th century by the O'Neill family, one of the most prominent Gaelic clans in Irish history. The castle was named after Shane McBrian O'Neill, one of the most prominent Gaelic clans in Irish history, who [...]
Shanes Castle May Day Steam Rally 2023 A nostalgic re-union with a steam culture. “it’s our family gathering, a celebration party and a time of wild tales” Shanes Castle is a Demesne of 800 acres of farmland plus 1000 acres of mature woodland and located on the north east shores [...]
The Formidable Twins I first met these amazing twins, Dylan and Adam Kelly from Inch in County Wexford, at the Stradbally Steam Rally back in 2021. At that time, they were just ten years of age and in control of their two four-inch scale model traction engines, a 1978 Garrett [...]
Out of scrap metal and junk, skilled hands take over The agricultural steam traction engine became popular in the 1850’s and used primarily for ploughing the land, threshing corn crops and heavy transport. The engines were generally owned, not by individual farmers, but by contractors who traveled from farm to [...]
The building of "Little Dandy" PURE GENIUS Luke Byrne lived in Boley outside the town of Gorey in County Wexford in a small family holding working as a farm hand. He was married to Nora and they had three sons, Leslie, Henry and Joseph. Luke, who had no engineering [...]
"Invincible" makes a visit home after 54 years Back in the 1930’s, Davy O’Connor was then a well known and very successful “Contractor” based in Philipstown in County Wexford. His machinery included seven threshing mills, a saw bed and four Ransom and three Burrell Steam Traction Engines to drive them. Davy provided services [...]
