With the sun beaming down on these glorious restored machines, a total of 12 tractors could be seen working on the day. These included a number of 1184s, 1174s, 1164s, 1124s, a County 754, a 6610 4E (only six of these tractors were ever made) and a 7600 4. This event is part of a silage working day which vintage enthusiasts run every year on the farm of Jack Hyland.There was a total of 14 vintage harvesters cutting silage on the day. These included eight single-chop harvesters, five double-chop harvesters and one trailed precision-chop harvester.
With the sun beaming down on these glorious restored machines, a total of 12 tractors could be seen working on the day. These included a number of 1184s, 1174s, 1164s, 1124s, a County 754, a 6610 4E (only six of these tractors were ever made) and a 7600 4. This event is part of a silage working day which vintage enthusiasts run every year on the farm of Jack Hyland.
There was a total of 14 vintage harvesters cutting silage on the day. These included eight single-chop harvesters, five double-chop harvesters and one trailed precision-chop harvester.
Spectators could witness Taarup, JF, John Wilder, Kidd and New Holland harvesters being operated. There was also a number of other vintage tractors being worked by people who have supported this event from the very beginning.
Members of the club worked all of the County tractors together for an hour and, after that, everyone with vintage machinery was allowed to cut away until all of the silage was gathered.
The club was extremely satisfied with how its first working day went. Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, club treasurer Kieran O’Donoghue said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better day out. We had sunshine, beautiful scenery and a venue to work and test our machines.”
The club expressed its gratitude to Jack and the Hyland family for providing a wonderful day.
It was certainly a most enjoyable event to attend, with all members and associates sitting down to lunch before the event commenced and again for dinner afterwards. Without the help and support from Jack, his wife Bernie and their family, the working day would not have been possible, according to the club.
After the silage cutting finished up, club members had a get-together in the barn for the evening, with traditional music and dancing taking place until the small hours of Sunday morning. Many neighbours and friends joined in and a great night was had by all.
History
The first meeting of the Irish County Tractor Club took place on Saturday 4 February 2017 in The City North Hotel, Dublin. There were a total of 25 members in attendance. At this meeting the following committee was formed – president: John Dan O’Hare; chair: Francie McBride; vice-chair: Michael Howey; secretary: Martin Everard; treasurer: Kieran O’Donoghue; technical representatives: Dan Flynn, Ken Cooke and Jimmy Cotter.
The official launch of the club took place in Nutts Corner, Co Antrim, in April 2017 as part of the Ford 100 celebrations. The club had a total of 42 County tractors on display at the launch.
Francie McBride, a County enthusiast and collector, is the man that put forward the idea of forming the club.
“My son Joe gave me the idea one day when we were working with our vintage machinery. Joe is 16 years of age and he is also passionate about all things vintage.
“Shortly after this, I was away on a trip with some like-minded vintage enthusiasts and I proposed the idea of the club at the dinner table. I got a really positive response from everyone. We all had a strong network of friends through attending vintage machinery events around the country. It just developed from there.”
Members from the club outlined that Mark Osbourne, the brand owner of County Tractors, was very happy for the club to form and that he wished the club every success into the future.
Future
The club intends to run two more working events in the 2017 calendar. These consist of another silage working day in the northern part of the country in August and a ploughing event in September.
Members explained that the club does not intend on organising any public events, simply because it hasn’t got the manpower to steward such events.
There are currently over 40 members from all over the country in the club, with the number steadily increasing. The club encourages any County tractor enthusiasts to get in contact and join. Any interested people should contact Francie on 086-363 5056 or Martin on 086-858 2693 for more information.
The Irish County Tractor Club is intended to be a working club. Members set up the club so proud County owners can work their tractors and machines among one another.
The club is for similar minded individuals to come together, while there is also a huge social aspect to the club. The club is non-profit and non-fundraising orientated.
Upcoming vintage event
The Coolmine and Moyglass Vintage Club will host a silage extravagnza on 29 July 2018 (yes, 2018, not 2017) in Fethard, Co Tipperary.
The Irish County Tractor Club will be in full attendance and will be working its machinery on the day.
The club intends to try to have the most County Tractors ever in the one venue. They are asking all County tractor owners to help make this possible.
In 2015, over 7,000 people attended the event where onlookers cast their eyes on 103 vintage silage harvesters in operation.
In 2018, vintage enthusiasts are hoping to have an even larger event.
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