On Easter Sunday, farmers in Kilbeacanty hosted a tractor run in aid of the South Galway Jigsaw Network set up in September 2017.
Some 203 tractors took part in the Easter Sunday Kilbeacanty tractor run, which focuses on promoting mental health and remembering the life of Galway hurler Niall Donohue.
The run started at McCarthy’s Lounge in Kilbeacanty and travelled on to Kiltartan, through Gort before finishing back at McCarthy’s.
Over 200 tractors took part at the Kilbeacanty charity tractor run and family friendly day. \ Hany MarzoukOut in front was a vintage Massey Ferguson 35 driven by Niall’s father Francie Donohue. Behind this was All-Ireland winning Galway hurlers Joseph Cooney and Conor Whelan, who is a first cousin of Niall.
As with many events, the farming community pulled together to support this cause and managed to raise €15,000.
This amount of money will fund the outreach centre for a full year providing a vital service to the people in the community, explained Declan Donohue, event organiser and local agri contractor.
“Being able to support the centre is very important because already so many people have gone through those doors and we have seen the benefit, especially in the younger people of the community.”
The Dyno Challenge provided a great opportunity to showcase the impressive array of tractors on show at the tractor run while also bring out the competitiveness of farmers and contractors.
Over 40 tractors took part between the farmer and contractor classes, with Pa McHugh taking top prize in the contractor class with a Class 920 Axion registering 305Hp. Brian McNamara won the farmers' section in his 1998 Case which had an output of 135hp.
Mark Braady from Kilbeacanty and Pa McHugh from Tuam taking the Tractor Dyno Challenge. \ Hany Marzouk Mark Brady from Kilbeacanty and Pa McHugh from Tuam taking the Tractor Dyno Challenge where they went up against each other to see who has the most horsepower at the Kilbeacanty charity tractor run and family friendly day out to support mental health awareness \ Hany Marzouk
“We were delighted that so many local farmers supported us and it is important for them to get out for the day as it has been a challenging start to 2018 for both farmers and contractors.”
The final event of the day was an auction which included a collector’s item, a Galway Jersey signed by the All-Ireland winning hurling team of 2017. The sale was overseen by auctioneer Colm Farrell and was purchased by Alan O’Grady of Lady Gregory Hotel in what can only be described as a bidding frenzy.
Pat Lynch and Eamon Grimes looking after the BBQ at the Kilbeacanty charity tractor run and family friendly day.Pat Lynch and Eamon Grimes looking after the barbecue at the Kilbeacanty charity tractor run and family friendly day out to support mental health awareness. \ Hany Marzouk
Throughout the day food was provided to all participants and viewers with a barbecue running all day followed by live music and karaoke in McCarthy’s lounge following the auction. With tractors coming from as far Crusheen and Tuam, Declan was amazed at the support they received from the farming community and is proud of their achievements.
Read more
Watch: Dublin2Mayo charity tractor run sets off
Watch: West Cork tractor run one of the biggest in the country
On Easter Sunday, farmers in Kilbeacanty hosted a tractor run in aid of the South Galway Jigsaw Network set up in September 2017.
Some 203 tractors took part in the Easter Sunday Kilbeacanty tractor run, which focuses on promoting mental health and remembering the life of Galway hurler Niall Donohue.
The run started at McCarthy’s Lounge in Kilbeacanty and travelled on to Kiltartan, through Gort before finishing back at McCarthy’s.
Over 200 tractors took part at the Kilbeacanty charity tractor run and family friendly day. \ Hany MarzoukOut in front was a vintage Massey Ferguson 35 driven by Niall’s father Francie Donohue. Behind this was All-Ireland winning Galway hurlers Joseph Cooney and Conor Whelan, who is a first cousin of Niall.
As with many events, the farming community pulled together to support this cause and managed to raise €15,000.
This amount of money will fund the outreach centre for a full year providing a vital service to the people in the community, explained Declan Donohue, event organiser and local agri contractor.
“Being able to support the centre is very important because already so many people have gone through those doors and we have seen the benefit, especially in the younger people of the community.”
The Dyno Challenge provided a great opportunity to showcase the impressive array of tractors on show at the tractor run while also bring out the competitiveness of farmers and contractors.
Over 40 tractors took part between the farmer and contractor classes, with Pa McHugh taking top prize in the contractor class with a Class 920 Axion registering 305Hp. Brian McNamara won the farmers' section in his 1998 Case which had an output of 135hp.
Mark Braady from Kilbeacanty and Pa McHugh from Tuam taking the Tractor Dyno Challenge. \ Hany Marzouk Mark Brady from Kilbeacanty and Pa McHugh from Tuam taking the Tractor Dyno Challenge where they went up against each other to see who has the most horsepower at the Kilbeacanty charity tractor run and family friendly day out to support mental health awareness \ Hany Marzouk
“We were delighted that so many local farmers supported us and it is important for them to get out for the day as it has been a challenging start to 2018 for both farmers and contractors.”
The final event of the day was an auction which included a collector’s item, a Galway Jersey signed by the All-Ireland winning hurling team of 2017. The sale was overseen by auctioneer Colm Farrell and was purchased by Alan O’Grady of Lady Gregory Hotel in what can only be described as a bidding frenzy.
Pat Lynch and Eamon Grimes looking after the BBQ at the Kilbeacanty charity tractor run and family friendly day.Pat Lynch and Eamon Grimes looking after the barbecue at the Kilbeacanty charity tractor run and family friendly day out to support mental health awareness. \ Hany Marzouk
Throughout the day food was provided to all participants and viewers with a barbecue running all day followed by live music and karaoke in McCarthy’s lounge following the auction. With tractors coming from as far Crusheen and Tuam, Declan was amazed at the support they received from the farming community and is proud of their achievements.
Read more
Watch: Dublin2Mayo charity tractor run sets off
Watch: West Cork tractor run one of the biggest in the country
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: