The committee of this festival is attempting to revive the past times, sports and way of life of the Irish people, to stir in all our hearts a love for the virtues and simplicity of our ancestors. The vast majority of Irish people are either involved in farming or are one or two generations removed from the land. Many of us hanker for the simple rural life of days gone by. Life was simpler then, but it was also tougher. This festival will remind us of our culture and our past - both important facets in our own make-up. We are Irish and proud of it. Our culture and past could disappear under the barrage of television, videos, the international pop culture of today and all the other influences of modern life.

We have a proud past, let us treasure it. We invite you all to take a trip down Memory Lane, to sit again by the open fireside and listen to the Seannachaí recount tales of valour and bravery of an age long gone, to stroll by the River Boyne and marvel at its beauty and tranquillity to contemplate the life and times of the knights and monks that dwelt within those castle walls. Let's call on our youth to gather for the Céilí at the crossroads, to dance with the straw boys in the town square and watch the performing Wren boys in action. Come let's bargain, barter and huckster at the fair, observe the blacksmith and matchmaker as they ply their trades or simply sit and listen to the enchanting sounds of our Irish traditional music. In this age of high technology, it is well to remember the words of Edmund Burke: "We cannot look forward to prosperity without looking backward to our ancestors". A historical note... Scurlogstown Civil Parish (from Lewis's Topographical Dictionary 1837) SCURLOGSTON, or SCURLOCKSTOWN, a parish, in the barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1 half mile (E.S.E.) from Trim, on the road to Dublin, and on the river Boyne; containing 328 inhabitants.

The Church and Castle of Scurlogstown (1820) This place derives its name from William de Scurlog, who erected a castle here about 1180: the ruins of this structure exhibit a square keep of large proportions and massive strength, with circular towers at the angles, and a few apertures for the admission of light. The parish comprises 2484 statute acres, as applotted under the Tithe Act; the land is chiefly arable. It is a curacy, in the Diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Trim: the rectory is impropriate in Joseph Ashe, Esq. The tithes amount to £159.0.4 half. is payable to the impropriator, and £24 to the curate. In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Dunsany and Kilmessan. There are fragments of an ancient church, consisting of two rude circular arches.