Tipperary Town is located in the heart of the Golden Vale in a region renowned for its dairy industry and rich farming traditions. Tipperary Co-operative Creamery was established in 1908 and the town witnessed the daily ritual of farmers bringing their churns of milk to the creamery, transitioning from the iconic donkey and cart, to the tractor and trailer and in more recent years the bulk contain
er. The traditional milk churn The milk churn became a common item in rural Ireland with the growth of the creameries in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. A full churn could weigh in the region of 125kg. With thousands of milk churns being handled daily by the creamery workers, they developed the skills of churn rolling. With the launch in 1964 of Tipperary Festival, Tipperary Co-op workers conceived the idea of a churn rolling competition taking place on the Main Street of the town. A fun event that would entertain the thousands of spectators that lined the streets. A Tipperary Tradition for over 50 years. Down through the years spectators have described the excitement in the air as competitors lined up to give an exhibition of churn rolling, an event that requires a combination of speed and skill to control the revolving churn as competitors race
100m at speeds up to 40km per hour. With sparks flying and a fierce competitive spirit, the churn rolling competition remains steadfast as one of the highlights of the Tipperary Festival. Join us in 2015 as we celebrate over 50 years of churn rolling! The seeds of Churn Rolling’s re-emergence were sown in 2012 by a few dedicated enthusiasts. Soon afterwards the preparations were in place for the 2013 All-Ireland Churn Rolling Championships, as part of the Tipperary Festival. Thousands of spectators lined the town's Main Street that July weekend when the
sound of churns echoing throughout Tipperary stirred a sense of nostalgia in some and an excited anticipation in others. Only a very special event could equal the success of 2013. That turned out to be the 2014 celebration of the sport's 50th anniversary. The competition was even more intense that year as the title of
All-Ireland Churn Rolling Champion was being both defended and contested. Fascination with the sport had spread, attracting people from across the country to see it for themselves and even to take part. Since coming back into the spotlight, the appeal of Churn Rolling has extended across the age groups. This was apparent through the skill demonstrated in the adult competitions, but it was also displayed by the younger churn rollers in the juvenile heats. Those too young to handle a churn weren't left out either - enter the Milk Maids, whose task it was to run up Main Street without spilling a drop of milk. All-Ireland Churn Rolling Championship 2015 This year, Tipperary town will once again be hosting this fun-filled and exciting event. A festival event that is ideal for all the family to enjoy. Sponsored by Tipperary Co-op Tipperary Town, the 2015 Churn Rolling Championship takes place on July 17th and 18th as part of the Tipperary Festival.
