Irish Steam Preservation Society

The Irish Steam Preservation Society was formed by a group of Laois based enthusiasts who set out to preserve for the good of the country, a part of our national agricultural heritage, the steam traction engine and its many forms after a meeting of half a dozen members at Harold Condell’s farm in Whitefields Co. Laois in 1964.

A small gathering of engines was held at the market house in Stradbally on St Stephen's day 1965 and thus with this being regarded as a success it was decided upon by the newly formed society to hold a larger rally in the grounds of Stradbally hall on the August Bank holiday weekend the following year.

Other attractions at the rally soon came about, notable was the addition of the steam railway in 1967 of a simple track laid out and a locomotive kindly donated by the Guinness Brewery was run with its passenger carriage in tow.

With this prominence other heritage focused groups such as the Celtic steamers have used the National rally as a place to end their ‘road runs’ which they use to raise money for various charities around the country.

In June 1968 the “Steam Museum” was opened in Stradbally by P.J Lalor, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Transport and Power.