Kilkenny College’s annual tractor run has become a highlight of the school calendar since its first run in 2013.
Because of COVID-19, it was forced online for the second year in a row, with a video of students driving their tractors at home as well as good wishes from many past pupils being released on the traditional date of the run, the Thursday before the May bank holiday weekend.
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, deputy principal Aubrey O’Keeffe praised the students involved, ranging from transition to sixth years, for their dedication to the annual event.
“The tractor run has always been very much student-led, or student-driven in fact.
Tractors at a Tractor Run in Kilkenny College before Covid.
“My role and that of my colleagues is to facilitate the students to have the run safely.”
Alumni
Now in its ninth year, the students who first pitched the idea to O’Keeffe continue to take part in the event, growing from 16 tractors in 2013, to 60 tractors in the last in-person event in 2019.
The normal run would begin at JVW Transport in Gowran and the students would then drive the 16km in to the college. The students have the assistance and support of local gardaí Andy Neill and Aidan Fitzpatrick.
All for a good cause.
“The event is fantastic for the students to learn a range of skills, from organisation to safety, and there are always more students looking to be involved each year,” O’Keeffe concluded.
Students watch on as the tractors arrive in the Kilkenny College Transition Year Tractor Run 2018. \ Kilkenny College
In the absence of the physical event this year which would see students raise funds for a chosen charity, hats and bumper stickers as well as other items have been sold by the students in order to raise money for this year’s charity, The Good Shepard Centre in Kilkenny.
The video can be seen on Youtube or the college’s website, and donations can be made through the Good Shepard Centre’s website.
Kilkenny College’s annual tractor run has become a highlight of the school calendar since its first run in 2013.
Because of COVID-19, it was forced online for the second year in a row, with a video of students driving their tractors at home as well as good wishes from many past pupils being released on the traditional date of the run, the Thursday before the May bank holiday weekend.
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, deputy principal Aubrey O’Keeffe praised the students involved, ranging from transition to sixth years, for their dedication to the annual event.
“The tractor run has always been very much student-led, or student-driven in fact.
Tractors at a Tractor Run in Kilkenny College before Covid.
“My role and that of my colleagues is to facilitate the students to have the run safely.”
Alumni
Now in its ninth year, the students who first pitched the idea to O’Keeffe continue to take part in the event, growing from 16 tractors in 2013, to 60 tractors in the last in-person event in 2019.
The normal run would begin at JVW Transport in Gowran and the students would then drive the 16km in to the college. The students have the assistance and support of local gardaí Andy Neill and Aidan Fitzpatrick.
All for a good cause.
“The event is fantastic for the students to learn a range of skills, from organisation to safety, and there are always more students looking to be involved each year,” O’Keeffe concluded.
Students watch on as the tractors arrive in the Kilkenny College Transition Year Tractor Run 2018. \ Kilkenny College
In the absence of the physical event this year which would see students raise funds for a chosen charity, hats and bumper stickers as well as other items have been sold by the students in order to raise money for this year’s charity, The Good Shepard Centre in Kilkenny.
The video can be seen on Youtube or the college’s website, and donations can be made through the Good Shepard Centre’s website.
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