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Fine weather brought the crowds to Innishannon at the weekend, with a great atmosphere at the 19th Innishannon Steam and Vintage Show.
There were more than 45 steam machines in action and they made their presence felt at the official opening at 2pm on Sunday when they sounded their horns in unison, the rustic sound reverberating around the countryside.
The event always attracts a big vintage and classic tractor display to support the older steam movement. There are always going to be plenty of Ford tractors on display in a Cork event and Innishannon usually tops them all. There were some very well restored Massey Ferguson tractors on show, along with a great display of Lanz models, some of which were local.
Ford original four-wheel-drive tractors
One of the more interesting displays was of the Ford original four-wheel-drive tractors mounted in association with the Blueforce tractor club. The Cooke family from Newtowards, Co Down, brought some of their Ford display to the event. Many of these tractors had never been seen before at Innishannon, especially the Northdrop tractor, and these provided for much discussion.
There were a number of Ursus C335 tractors on view, some restored and others in original condition. For many farmers in the early 1970s, these were a logical progression from the Ferguson 20 and it’s great to see them coming back into prominence.
There were some early John Deeres on view, most of which were sold prior to the Lanz tractor connection and were original North American-built machines. These were popular in Ireland in the 1930s and ’40s and are part of John Deere’s celebrations in Ireland this year.
There were two original older International Titan tractors on view. The special feature of their showing was that these are 1916 models, tractors that have survived 100 years of farm work and are now enjoying a vintage retirement.
For tractor collectors and restorers, the event provides an impressive jumble sale, with parts for machines old and new. There is always a great hive activity at this end of the Innishannon Steam and Vintage Show, as the search for parts always brings some treasures in many forms.
Greybridge building on Deere celebration
John Harty of Greybridge Classic Tractor Club has confirmed that plans are coming together to celebrate 50 years of John Deere in Ireland as the key focus of their harvest day, which takes place on Sunday, 7 August.
“While our registration list is building, we are still on the search for older classic John Deere models to include in the lineout,” said John.
“We will have a wide selection of John Deere tractors from across the years joining us, including a prizewinning John Deere 1020 coming from Wexford, which was first registered in Ireland in 1967.
“We have also had a very kind donation of a John Deere finger bar mower from a farmer who heard about our plans,” he added.
The engineers in the club are busy plotting out the plans. The word Deere will be cut out on the grass and the tractors will be lined up to spell out John Deere.
Static displays
There are also plans for a number of static displays, which will include John Deere agricultural and construction machinery.
It’s not all quite John Deere on the day, as there will also be the usual vintage tractor and car displays, which will include a huge variety of makes and models from across the years.
The club will host its ever-popular silage display, which this year will feature John Deere harvesters and balers and will see the old contend with the newer models.
The Greybridge monster raffle is turning green this year, with up to €1,000 of John Deere merchandise in prizes. John can be contacted on 085-863 2200.
Model steam engines star at Cheffins recent auction
Cheffins’ most recent vintage machinery auction on Saturday 16 April in England saw more than 3,000 lots go under the hammer. Cheffins will be holding the Allerton Collection on Saturday 25 June at Old Octon Farm, Octon, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 3EB, where there will be a large sale of 40 vintage and classic tractors.
Date /Event /Location /Contact
9 June Ballynahinch Vintage Road Run Down 028/048-97533597
9/10 June Farming and Country Life 1916 Event Athenry, Galway 091-845200
10 June Glenavy Vintage Road Run Dundrod, Down 0044-7860372304
11 June John Patrick Clinch Memorial Tractor Run Moone, Kildare 086-1903968
11 June Tempo Vintage Day Tempo, Fermanagh 028/048-89541246
11 June Ballintoy and Dunservick Vintage Rally Antrim 028/048-20732170
11 June Castle Classic Club Rally and Jumble Lurgan, Armagh 028/048-38322288
11 June Tullylagan Vintage Rally Loughry Campus, Tyrone 0044-7713148860
11 June Dromara Vintage Show Down 0044-7759672584
12 June IVETA Vintage Rally and Run Donaghmore, Laois 086-8672664
12 June Hannah O’Byrne Memorial Run and Show Rathdrum, Wicklow 087-1527809
12 June South Donegal Vintage Road Run Killargue, Leitrim 087-6165431
12 June Thomastown Steam and Vintage Club Rally Kilkenny 087-2539412
12 June Aherla Vintage Club Road Run Tipperary 087-6319883
12 June Inishowen Vintage Club Show Donegal 086-6062038
12 June Shrule and District Vintage Rally Mayo 087-9826003
18 June Kilflynn Vintage Tractor Road Run Kerry 086-3630213
18 June Maghera Vintage Rally and Fun Day Derry 0044-7752441444
18 June Cloughmills Vintage Rally Antrim 0044-7934534199
18 June Derg Valley Vintage Club Castlederg, Tyrone 028/048-81671232
18 June Kildarton Parish Fete and Vintage Rally Armagh 028/048-37522660
19 June Kilcoo Working Vintage Club Run Down 0044-7878456236
19 June Kilflynn Vintage Rally Kerry 086-3630213
19 June Connabride Vintage Rally Cork 086-8736116
19 June Kilmeedy Vintage Rally Limerick 087-9001608
19 June Ballincollig Vintage Road Run Cork 087-9096616
*Dates are subject to change. Please contact each event before you travel.
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