On the first weekend of April, there was a special gathering of vintage tractors in the southeast.
Vintage tractor enthusiasts from all over the country, and even regular tractor enthusiasts, gathered in the village of Kilrane, just north of Rosslare Harbour.
They were there to welcome over 60 fellow enthusiasts and their tractors from Wales.
The first shipment of Welsh tractors and drivers arrived early on Friday evening with the second group arriving just before dark.
All tractors were decamped in the old P&O yard in Kilrane village before the visitors were brought to their various accommodations.
Even though the weather on Saturday morning was not favourable, around 250 tractors gathered in the yard ready to take off around the Wexford coast at 11 o’clock. Most of the tractors were vintage, some restored and some still in their work clothes.
There was a steam engine, a few modern tractors plus a few “ringers” in the group, including a Fordson Dexta with a six-cylinder engine and a Massey Ferguson 35 decked out entirely in gloss black.
The latter shocked some hardcore MF enthusiasts but others thought it looked fantastic. Main national road routes were largely avoided on the run, which saw host club, Wexford’s Bargy Vintage Club, bring all visitors on a tour of the Wexford coastline.
More favourable weather would have allowed visitors a better view of the coast, but most vintage tractor enthusiasts are conditioned for such weather and enjoyed it as much as they could.
A food stop at Danby Lodge saw drivers refuelled with some welcome hot stew, tea and apple tart.
This also set the visitors up for the evening’s entertainment before again departing by ferry and road the following morning.
Plans are already afoot for a return visit to Wales next year. Last year, 130 Irish tractors and enthusiasts crossed the Irish Sea to participate in their vintage run.
Longford Ploughing Championships to get under way this week
The 2014 Co Longford Ploughing Championships gets under way this Sunday, 13 April, at noon on the land of James and Harry Reynolds and family, Cranleybeg, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford.
There is a great tradition of competitive ploughing in Longford.
The first county ploughing match took place at Whitehill, Edgeworthstown, in a large field the property of HBW Slater Esq precisely at 12 o’clock on March 2, 1838.
That day, some 32 ploughs started and completed their task within the limited time.
Last year’s event had a very impressive turnout in the vintage tractor class, with many new competitors joining their local ploughing heroes.
The same attendance this year would mean the event would be a huge success.
Peter Whitney from Mostrim and John King from Newtownforbes always have a good match with each other in the single furrow class.
The Stewart brothers, Ian, David and Billy, from Kilashee/Clonturk fight it out in the two furrow class.
Sometimes it’s all about which family member comes out in front, even if they are not in the top marks!
Charles Stewart has mastered the trailer plough technique and will have some competition from the lads from Co Down.
Eamon Kiernan, Eamon Murray and Paddy Whitney and many more will represent the county in Edgeworthstown.
The event will include dozens of vintage tractors and ploughs in action, all restored to rally condition, as they vie to win a place in the National Ploughing Championships next September.
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