The Gryson family started growing thatching straw at Cornstown House around thirty years ago. The growing of thatching straw was fundamental in them acquiring their 1917 Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies and 1927 Fosters of Lincoln threshing machines.
Cornstown House Farm is situated on one of the few remaining expanses of agricultural land in Fingal, County Dublin, a mere 30-minute drive from the city centre. Here, the Gryson family tends to their organic farm, featuring a diverse collection of vintage machinery employed in the cultivation of ancient cereals and the crafting of thatching straw. The working line-up includes a 1970 Dania D1200 and a 1985 Massey Ferguson 27 (rebranded Dronningbrog D7000) combine harvester.
The Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies thresher was known as a “Colonial” and was built as a contractor’s machine and was big and heavy in its construction. The Colonial thresher was originally purchased by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.
As Dominic explains, the thresher had been shipped from the factory to the docks at Southampton and was destined for Russia when news of the Russian Revolution and the overthrow of the Tsar came through. As a result, the thresher was never dispatched and was instead reconsigned to be shipped to the USA.
Sailing from Southampton bound for the USA the ships pulled into Queenstown (now known as Cobh) nearby Cork city and six of the colonial threshers were off-loaded.
Currently another Colonial thresher is in County Louth, one is owned by Dominic and the other four are whereabouts unknown and more than likely, as they were undervalued in the 1960s and ’70s, probably ended up as firewood.
The two threshing mills owned by Dominic are built from different types of timbers. The Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies mill is in good condition. The structure (frame) is made of oak, the panelling is made of pine and the (vertical) hangers for the sieves are made from flexible ash. As Dominic reminds ash is a flexible wood and is also used in Ireland for making hurley sticks.
Future plans include restoring a circa 1964 Fordson Major, intended to work alongside the threshing mills for cereal and straw production.
Beyond the machinery, Cornstown House offers diverse attractions, featuring rare breeds such as cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, horses, and alpaca trekking across the picturesque farm.
Plan your visit to Cornstown House, open on weekends and available for private appointments and experience a warm welcome from the Gryson Family.
