'A memorable day' for Longford's Colmcille Vintage Car and Tractor Run

Hundreds of people participated in and watched the Colmcille Vintage Car and Tractor Run last Sunday in aid of the Longford branch of the Parkinson's Association of Ireland and it was a big success.

Chairperson of the Colmcille Vintage Club, Micheál Shaughnessy, who established the popular annual event and was assisted by a committee and local people who helped with stewarding, said it was a memorable day.

Read more: Hagan hails national appeal of ‘wonderful’ Longford Agricultural Show

The club decided to give the proceeds of this year’s run to the Longford branch of the Parkinson's Association of Ireland as a club member was diagnosed a few years ago.

Running for over 14 years, the event has raised in excess of €140,000 for various local charities.

The run took in a wide area of North Longford.

The 56 tractors travelled from Aughnacliffe, through Aughadowrey, Gaigue Cross, Drumlish, Doherty's Cross, and on to Ballinalee, where there was a short break and then it continued back to Aughnacliffe via Lough Gowna lake.

Micheál said the 23 cars and eight motorbikes took an alternative route and left Aughnacliffe before taking in Granard, Edgeworthstown, Longford, on to Ballinalee and travelling back to Aughnacliffe.

"We had a good crowd and we actually did as well as any year."

Micheál said a lot of other vintage shows in the wider region would usually attract around 20 to 25 vehicles.
"It was a big number for the event here because they were all vintage."

Micheál said there was a lot of work put in behind the scenes but they were happy with the crowds and the atmosphere.
"The weather was great. We had one little shower going into Drumlish, but otherwise it was good."

Running for over 14 years, the event has raised in excess of €140,000 for various local charities.

"Every year you try to maintain it, you don't want to go down on the previous year, there is something happening if you do.
"I would have ensured that I'd be talking to people and visiting people and texting people.

"A lot of people heard about it, we had three or four people from Sligo up who were very impressed by the run.

"Lads as far away as Donegal rang me, they didn't get up but they phoned me and they heard about it through the media and stuff like that."

Read more: MACE & Supermac's Ballinalack customer appreciation summer party is a big hit

Micheál said registration costs were €20 per vehicle and they won't know the full amount raised until donations from buckets and sponsorship cards are counted.

"I got donations and people were handing me money because people are aware of it and they know it is going to a worthy cause."