As well as the now regular vintage threshing exhibition and timber cutting displays, there were some very interesting new restoration projects on show at the National Ploughing Championships.

The Irish Vintage Engine and Tractor Association (IVETA) used the occasion to launch a new book chronicling their 40 year history which, with a membership of more than 8,000 people, is one of the largest vintage associations in Europe. The book chronicles the history of the vintage movement, which has grown from small beginnings to the successful organisation that it is today.

This interesting set of joined 1948 Ford 8N twins was shown by Michael Colgan. The tractors are joined at the rear by a linked half shaft and on the front by a connected front axle, which gives extra stability. The tractor can be driver from either seat and the rear linakge arms can be operated independently.

This unique 352 page book, which costs €20, was compiled by Owen Monaghan, the long-time public relations officer at IVETA, with support from Pat Gubbins. Together, they drew on the resources from past IVETA magazines and the membership archives of the association.

Sean Phelan from Pilltown, Co Kilkenny had this well restored 1969 version Ford 2000 tractor on display at the Ploughing. Sean is the third owner of the tractor and restored it over a period of two years.

IVETA’s success is due to the selfless dedication and hard work of many committees down through the years, culminating in the development of the association’s Swallow’s Quarter centre in Donaghmore Village, Co Laois. It all started when the late Vincent Sheridan invited interested parties to a meeting in Nenagh in 1979, following an excursion to the Dorset Steam Rally in England. From there, IVETA began with a membership fee of £4 per year.

The launch of the book was tinged with sadness as IVETA lost from their fold Pat Gill, Nenagh and Martin Bergin, Donaghmore in the last 12 months. They were both more recent stalwarts of IVETA and were hugely responsible for the success of the association today.

Thomas Kavanagh from Gorey, Wexford had this neat Fordson Super Dexta tractor on display with its unique cab. The fast, small tractor is used daily on his farm.

For vintage enthusiasts, this book is a superb record of the emergence and growth of the vintage movement run by ordinary people, who over 40 years have done extraordinary things. They have kept true to their founding principles of collecting, restoring and displaying vintage machines and farming artefacts from an Irish farming past. Those who chartered the way for Irish vintage through IVETA are among the true patriots of Irish history, preserving a farming heritage that could be so easily have been forgotten.

This 1942 Fordson Model N tractor has been in the McCabe family from Palace East, Enniscorthy since new and was restored by Ben McCabe, the son of the original owner, in 2015. The tractor was originally sold by the Enniscorthy Motor Company and had a lifetime of work on the McCabe farm and farm contracting business, where it drove a threshing mill for many years.

Joe Clancy from Tullamore had this neat 1963 BMC Mini with its 950cc diesel engine, with nine forward and three reverse gears. It was joined by the slightly more recent 1966 Leyland tractor, based on the original BMC Mini design but in the new Leyland blue colours.

Noel Hutton from Ballon, Carlow had this beautifully restored 1977 International Harvester 454 tractor, with a 1976 International Harvester 440 baler behind. The 52hp, three-cylinder tractor had one owner on the tax book. He bought the baler from a farmer in Derry and it is in an impressive original condition. The tractor restoration detail attracted a lot of attention and won the IVETA award for the best exhibit.

This local, well restored 1974 version of a Massey Ferguson 135 with a four-wheel-drive system was shown by Mick Joyce from the Ballymurphy Vintage Club in Carlow.

Cork tractor enthusiast Michael Cussack from Mallow had this beautifully restored 1972 Ford 5000 on show. The tractor is awaiting the final cab restoration work.

Alan Mitchell from Mitchell’s Garage in Blueball, Offaly had this neatly restored 1963 model French-built four-cylinder Someca 30B tractor on show.

The Irish Vintage Engine and Tractor Association (IVETA) launched their 40 year anniversary book in the vintage arena at Ploughing 2019. Among those present for the launch were (from left): John Hayde, Kilkenny, Sean Collins, Clare, Mike Kirwan, Waterford, Jim Fogarty, Tipperary, Ivan Binnions, Laois, John Keenan, Monaghan, IVETA president, Jim Fahy, Laois, Michael McNamara, Limerick, Paul Hallahan, Waterford with Owen Monaghan, Cavan and Pat Gubbins, Tipperary, in front.