A shared enthusiasm for agricultural tractors, vintage, classic and modern, saw the Welsh flag fluttering around south Wexford during the recent May bank holiday weekend.

Over 80 tractors made their way across the Irish Sea on ferries from Pembroke and Fishguard to join their Irish counterparts on a fundraising tractor run.

The Wexford-based Bargy Vintage Club again hosted the Irish/Welsh national tractor run. Running on alternate years in Wales and Ireland since 2012, the event returned to Ireland this year.

This now annual run has seen cross-channel and domestic supporters grow year-on-year.

Wexford hosts Bargy Vintage Club and its members put in another huge effort this year, along with their Welsh counterparts, to ensure the success of the event.

Treasurer of the Bargy Vintage Club John Rowe explained: “We were hoping for 250 to 300 but 337 tractors in total registered for the run. We had tractors come from all over the country to support the run. A lot of supporters travelled over from Wales with their tractors to support the run too. We are grateful for the help and contributions that we received for the event,” said John.

Chair of the West Wales Tractor Run Committee Hywel Mason and Henry Dixon organise things on the Welsh side of the sea.

“We hosted the National UK tractor run in Wales in 2011 and 50 tractors came over from Ireland that year to participate in it,” explained Hywel.

The following year saw Welsh tractor enthusiasts cross the sea to join Bargy Vintage Club on its run and the event has grown into what it is now.

The wet and muggy Sunday morning didn’t dampen spirits and tractor runners set out from the old P&O yard in Kilrane, close to Rosslare Harbour, at 11am. The run took them over the Forth Mountain and finally into Wexford town, where they parked their tractors on the quay front.

The Welsh and Irish tractor drivers plus supporters were greeted to a civic reception. Over 400 sat down for a welcome meal in Whites Hotel.

A nighttime function was also held in the Danby Lodge, with the aim of not just feeding those involved and taking part in the run, but also to raise money for the Friends of Wexford Hospital.

The Irish/Welsh national tractor run saw a substantial amount of money raised for the charity to support the purchase of a new MRI scanner costing in the region €1m.

Next year, Irish tractors will travel across the Irish Sea to Wales to participate in a similar tractor run.

Innishannon plans biggest steam and vintage rally

The 19th Innishannon Steam and Vintage Rally takes place on Sunday 5 and Monday 6 June. The event promises to be bigger than ever.

The organisers report that there will be 1,500 exhibitors on the 40-acre site, located outside the village of Innishannon in Co Cork.

This will include more than 400 tractors and more than 50 steam engines, some of which will be new to the event this year.

The event is the largest vintage and steam event in Ireland and has supported the Irish Cancer Society with more than €1.2m in funding efforts over the past 18 years.

Following last year’s event, when the second day had to be cancelled due to rain and storms, the rally presented a cheque of €30,000 to the Irish Cancer Society.

Information

You can get more information about this impressive event from Mary Desmond (021-477 5808 or 087-280 2658) who has been the dedicated secretary of the event for many years.

Charleville Club vintage tractor run

Paschal Fenton (087-273 1336) of the Charleville Vintage Club has been in touch to tell us that the club will be holding a tractor run this weekend on Sunday 15 May in aid of Rathfredagh Cheshire Home. Registration starts from 10am and the run starts from John Roche’s Garage, Kilmallock, Co Limerick. The entry fee is €20.

Refreshments will be served before the start of the run. Passengers are not allowed on tractors, nor are implements.

Date Event Location Contact

15 May Charleville Vintage Tractor Run Cork 087-273 1336

15 May Oldcastle Vintage Tractor Run Moylagh, Meath 087-672 9873

15 May Wicklow Vintage Club Run Ballycoog Hall, Wicklow 087-152809

22 May North Galway Vintage Show Moylough, Galway 086-851 0445

22 May Lixnaw Vintage Rally Lixnaw, Kerry 087-699 6886

25 May Glascar Charity Vintage Run Down 0044-792 1191000

27 May Seaforde Working Vintage Road Run Down 0044-754 0539420

28 May Tamlaght O’Crilly Vintage Rally Derry 028/048-295 41134

28 May Derrygortreavy Vintage Rally Dungannon, Tyrone 0044-759 3915320

28 May Derrykeighan Vintage Rally Antrim 028/048-207 41110

28 May Carnlough Vintage Road Run Armagh 0044-796 3517407

28 May N Ireland Stationary Engine Rally Patterson’s Mill, Antrim 0044-798 5722244

29 May Wells House Classic Car Show Gorey, Wexford 087-635 8061

29 May Ballyroan Vintage Rally Ballyroan GAA, Laois 087-454 7025