Last week’s Lough Rynn Vintage Festival, held in the grounds of Lough Rynn Castle Hotel outside Mohill, Co Leitrim, attracted a large attendance. While the vintage tractor numbers appeared smaller than other years, there was an interesting variety of models on show.

The Ferguson 20s dominated the event, as you would expect. These small and light tractors continued to be in use in the Leitrim area long after farmers in other parts of the country had moved on to heavier and more powerful tractors.

There were some interesting Porsche and Porsche Allgaiers tractors on show. These were supplied by a local dealer, McManus’s Garage in Ballinamore, in the 1950s.

Many of the tractors remained on in the area and are now being restored to their former glory.

The event was organised by the Bornacoola Development Association, funding a number of local charities. Here we give you a flavour of some of the tractors seen at the event.

Pre-Ploughing tractor run

There will be a novel vintage tractor run on the weekend leading up to the National Ploughing Championships, with organisers planning to bring upwards of 130 tractors on a road run that will include a visit to the Ploughing site at Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co Laois.

One group of enthusiasts will come from Ratheniska, while another will come from Ballyragget to meet in Ballinakill.

The vintage run will take place on Sunday 21 September with a start time of 11am in Ratheniska.

The organisers are looking for vintage tractors, motorbikes, trucks and cars from counties Kerry, Cork, Kilkenny, Wexford, Laois, Carlow, Kildare, Wicklow and Tipperary to make the event a true national run.

You can get sponsorship cards and more information from Paddy Mortimer on 086-3326338.

Date Event Location Contact

13 September Dungiven Parish Vintage Rally Armagh 028/048-77741226

13 September Tullylagen Vintage Run, Cookstown Tyrone 0044-7832-336014

13 September Braid Valley Vintage Run, Ballymena Antrim 0044-7802-537124

13 September Rathfriland Vintage Day, Rathfriland Antrim 0044-7879-417079

13 September Killeagh & St John’s Vintage Day, Swatragh Derry 028/048-79642791

13 September Peninsula Working Vintage Day Down 0044-7917-620408

14 September Knockbridge Vintage Club Louth 087-2204261

14 September Ballincollig Vintage Autumn run Cork 087-9096616

14 September West Cork Vintage Ploughing, Clonakilty Cork 087-6700620

14 September Borrisokane Vintage Show & Working Day Tipperary

14 September Spink Threshing Day, Abbeyleix Laois 086-8270189

14 September Mayo North Tractor Club Road Run Mayo 087-0553051

14 September Kilkishen Vintage Rally Clare 061-367419

14 September Camp Vintage Rally & Working Day Kerry 087-9588631

14 September Courtbrack Vintage Threashing & Vintage Cork 087-7838513

14 September South Kerry Vintage Ploughing, Fossa Kerry 087-2383809

14 September Copper Still Tractor Run, Dromod Leitrim 086-7304510

14 September Limerick Model Show, Raheen Limerick 087-3277757

20 September White Cross Vintage Ferguson Day Donegal 086-7317338

21 September Ratheniska Vintage tractor run Laois 086-3326338

21 September Murroe Vintage Tractor Run Limerick 087-2644010

21 September Oylegate Vintage Ploughing Day Wexford 087-6476802

21 September Killavullen Vintage Tractor Run Cork 087-244 9647

23-25 September National Ploughing Vintage, Stradbally Laois 086-8672664

28 September Meath Vintage Ploughing Day Meath 087-2204170

28 September Anglesboro Annual Harvest Fair Cork 086-2549014

28 September Blennerville Threashing Festival Kerry 087-4126269