Tommy and Madeline Fennelly are well known from their Mad for Models business, which operates from their farmyard at Burton Hall, Carlow. There is more to Tommy than just operating an impressive and specialised farm model business; he has his own John Deere obsession to cope with.

The obsession began in 1989, the year that he and Madeline were married. As they stopped in Enniscorthy on their way home from their honeymoon, Tommy made his first model tractor purchase, a US-built 1:16 scale Ertl John Deere tractor, in a local shop.

Around that time, they were operating Fiat tractors on the Fennelly tillage farm and Tommy recalls another model purchase.

He went to machinery dealers Lyons and Burton in Kilcock, Co Kildare, for some Fiat parts just after they had been appointed as John Deere dealers. As well as the part, he came home with some more Ertl 1:16 John Deere model tractors.

Little did either of them know where this would lead to. Today, the Carlow couple operates a very successful farm model shop and are regular visitors to farming events across the country, where they supply tractor enthusiasts with some very special models.

Today, Tommy holds a treasure trove of John Deere tractor and machinery models that would match any collection in the world. He has over 600 scale models of John Deere machinery, some of which are more special than others.

Tommy’s John Deere obsession extends to the farmyard where he has some very special life-size tractors. He has collected older John Deere tractors from across Ireland and restored some, while others remain in the original condition.

Today, Tommy’s John Deere collection includes models B and M. He bought these tractors which had started their lives on the Wainsford Estate in nearby Castlecomer. Some of the later model R and M John Deere tractors were only sold in Ireland and PJ Hurst’s of Tullamore were big Deere dealers in their time.

Tommy’s current John Deere collection also includes an imported High Crop 60 from the US, a 4020 and a 4520 that he bought in the Netherlands, an industrial Deere 510 tractor and few 30 series tractors, including one with a Duncan cab, and his very specially painted 1120 from the early 1970s.

Tommy also collects operator’s manuals and parts books for the many tractors that he has owned. He finds them especially interesting as they give a great background to the tractors and how they were to be used.

Tommy also has a steam engine that only recently made its first voyage since restoration at the Innishannon Steam and Vintage Show in 2014.

Tommy and Madeline juggle their time between their unique passion for machinery from down through the ages, as well as a good farming business, Tommy’s skilful cabinet making business and, of course, Mad for Models, all operating from the same farmyard.

So you’ll know that there’s a lot more to Tommy that his madness for models.

Bargy Irish/Wales vintage event gathers strength

The Bargy Vintage Club in south Co Wexford will host its bi-annual Irish/Welsh national tractor road run on the forthcoming May bank holiday weekend (1-2 May). This event has grown bigger and better as the years roll by, with more and more interest. This year, Welsh and English vintage tractor enthusiasts will take the Rosslare ferry and join with vintage tractor enthusiasts from all over Ireland.

John Rowe (086-255 0704), one of the club organisers, said that the event provides a unique opportunity to renew friendships with like-minded vintage people from both countries. They have received interest from many Irish clubs who are looking forward to taking part in this unique two-day event.

This year’s road run will take place on Sunday 1 May, travelling around the roads of Wexford, taking in some unique scenery from Fort Mountain, before heading back into Wexford town. Tractor parking will be provided on Wexford quay for a civic reception, followed by a meal in one of the nearby hotels.

There will also be a function on Sunday night with Irish dancing, singing and “ceol agus craic”, said John.

This event has been a great fundraiser for local charities. The funds from this year’s event will go to The Friends of Wexford Hospital to help pay for a €1m MRI Scanner.

Celebrity ploughing in Longford

Longford’s vintage celebrity ploughing event, which takes place on Sunday 10 April will have distinct vintage flavour this year as the organising committee is expanding the Ferguson 20 class to including TVO and diesel 20s with Ferguson ploughs fitted.

Anthony Reynolds (086-8548115) is the ploughing coordinator for the event and is looking for a big Ferguson 20 response. The event, which takes place at Legan on the Longford-Westmeath border, will include celebrities such as local singer Mick Flavin from Drumlish, TR Dallas from Westmeath and Cliona Hagan and Aidan Quinn both from Tyrone, all taking in part in Ireland’s only celebrity ploughing event.

Luke Casey (086-8571295) of the event committee told the Irish Farmers Journal that the annual Longford ploughing event is recognised as one of the as the largest local ploughing event in Ireland and second only to the county football final in terms of being a crowd puller.

Date Event Location Contact

1/2 April Glenavy Vintage Annual Show Lisburn, Armagh 0044-786 0372304

2 April Ballymoney Old Vehicle Club Car Show Antrim 0044-796 0130030

3 April Lios Dearg Tractor Road Run Belmont, Offaly 087-769 8729

3 April South Donegal Vintage Club road run Donegal 074-973 4487

3 April Clady Vintage Club Dunderry, Meath 086-154 0829

3 April Roughty Valley Vintage Club road run Kerry 086-232 4813

3 April Ballygarvan Vintage Club road run Cork 087-294 9976

3 April Shamrock Vintage Club Pat Byrne Road Run Wexford 087-298 4904

3 April Loughrea & Dis. Vintage Club road run Galway 087-254 6095

3 April Glanmire Macra Tractor Run Cork 086-050 5465

9 April Aughnacloy Cross Border Vintage Tractor Road Armagh 077-993 45562

9 April Steve’s Nuffield & Leyland Tractor Run Larne, Antrim 079-746 49223

10 April Longford’s Vintage Celebrity Ploughing Legan, Longford 086-857 1295

10 April IVETA Jumble Swallows Quarter Donaghmore, Laois 086-867 2664

10 April Moone Classic & Vitnage Road Run Kildare 086-853 7691

10 April Armagh City Model Show Armagh City Hotel, Armagh 0044-774 2670023

10 April Gaultier Vintage Club road run Waterford 087-266 8233

10 April Over the Water Vintage Club road run Wexford 085-174 0984

10 April Mogeely Vintage Club road run Cork 087-250 8690

10 April Killarney Valley Vintage Club road run Kerry 087-238 3809

10 April Ballincollig Vintage Gougane Barra Road Run Cork 087-909 6616

10 April Wicklow Vintage Club Run Laragh, Wicklow 087-152 7809

17 April Battle Of The Hills Vintage Road Run Cavan 087-632 9362

24 April South Eastern Vintage Auto Jumble Ardattin, Carlow 087-238 5195