Song of the Scythe Meitheal at Rathbeagh

Join us for a day of scything with Chris Hayes and a farmland pollinator walk with Dr. Fiona MacGowan .This day long celebration of meadows and scything is part of a series of workshops as part of the Song of the Scythe Project  funded by the Heritage Council.  

If you are a landowner or farmer or gardener , growing a wildflower meadow, have grassland near water or a heritage site or simply want to sustainably manage an area using scything , this is an opportunity to learn more about scything.

Meitheal is an old Irish term that describes how neighbours would come together to assist in the saving of crops or in other tasks.

Rathbeagh, from the Irish Rathbeathach means the Rath of the birch-trees. It is located in an ancient valley once called Mágh Airgid Rois (“The Plain of the Silver Wood”).Situated on the banks of the Nore, Rathbeagh is home to the mound of Eireamhon. “Traditionally the Tumulus, or inner ring around the Rath was kept clear by the ancestors using scythes and slashers” We are very much looking forward to restoring this practice.

The workshop will cover how to set up the scythe and the mowing technique. We will spend time looking at the sharpening and maintenance of the scythe with a special workshop on sharpening and peening.  We will also discuss haymaking, wildflower meadow management and all types of vegetation. Scythes will be supplied for the workshop , but participants are welcome to bring their own. Scythes may be available for purchase on the day.