Hilltown, County Down will host the 26th Boley Fair this year, which kicks off on Friday evening, July 8th, with a crowd pulling opening parade of locals, donning traditional costumes, vintage enthusiasts, horses and traditional bands. The annual festival, which concludes on July 12th, is centered on the Sheep Show that traditionally takes place on the second Tuesday in July.

The Boley Fair celebrates rural traditions and aims to bring rural skills and past-times of a bygone era to a wide audience of local people and visitors alike. Over the five-day period, fair goers can participate or simply enjoy the craic at a wide variety of events including music, dancing, sports, traditional skills and family events.

Mighty Crowd

The “Boley Fair” takes its name from a way of life once practiced in the Mournes when entire families moved with their cows into the Mountain to take advantage of the free grazing. The “Boley Hut”, which forms the centerpiece of the Fair will be seen in the Square. It is a replica of the summer dwellings used by the people who went “boleying”.

Highlights of the Boleys Fair include the usual on-street entertainment including live outdoor music in the Square, country market, mobile farm, barman and barmaids races and blacksmith demonstrations. The Tug-o-War competition will happen on Sunday following the Family Fun Day. On Monday the Horse and Poultry Fair and Boleys Got Talent takes place.

The Annual Sheep Show will be held on Tuesday the 12th of July, in the centre of the village. It’s a colorful event to behold and a real glimpse into rural life as it was in the past. More traditional rural farming skills will be showcased in the afternoon with rope twisting and the Sheep Clipping Competition, which is still done by hand.

Outdoor ceili dancing on the Tuesday evening will bring the fair to a close for another year. Programmes are available to download here and also available in all local shops around the Hilltown, Co Down area.

Where To Stay

Downshire Arms Hotel Mews Apartments
Ph: 028 4063 8899
www.downshire-arms.com