Over 500 machinery enthusiasts from all over the country made their way to Kilrush in Co Clare last week to attend the official opening of a tractor museum dedicated to the Life of Harry Ferguson.

The museum brings together 10 years of work by Joe Whelan Sr, of well-known Massey Ferguson multi-branch dealership Whelan’s Garage. Joe said that he was delighted to see people travel from almost every county in Ireland, including a group from Antrim.

The new museum is on the same premises as The Museum of Irish Rural Life, which is located at Cooraclare Road in Kilrush. William Judge, brand manager at Massey Ferguson who is over the Irish, UK and Middle East officially opened the Museum.

To date, 14 fully restored vintage Ferguson tractors have been placed in the museum, with more tractors currently undergoing restoration to be added to the collection in the near future.

Models in the collection range from Ferguson brown and grey models up to the 100 series, with red models also on display.

One unique tractor on display was a crab-steer Massey Ferguson which was built in the 1980s. One of just 10 ever built, there are only a handful now remaining in the world. For anyone interested in visiting, the museum is open seven days a week, from 9am to 6pm.