Barnaderg event could attract over 300 tractors all in aid of Galway Hospice

A CONVOY of 212 gleaming tractors travelling along the North Galway countryside last year was a spectacular sight and now the organisers hope to exceed this number when the event takes place again on Sunday week next (March 1).

The organisers of the Barnaderg Tractor Run say they have interest from many more counties on this occasion and would love to see four or five hundred tractors take part in the 26 mile journey.

This year it is being organised for Galway Hospice. Last year they raised over €10,000 for charity and this year they hope to exceed this figure.

The novel event attracted farmers and tractor owners from Clare, Mayo, Roscommon and Westmeath as well as a huge contingent from Galway.

But main organiser Paul McWalter said that there was now interest from Kilkenny where he first saw a tractor run taking place.

Those participating in the tractor run will assemble near the community centre in Barnaderg on the Sunday morning of March 1 and then they will travel in single file to Moylough, Mountbellew, Monivea, Abbeyknockmoy before returning to base.

Last year it took the tractors around three hours to complete the journey but it proved to be a huge spectacle and attracted large groups of onlookers along the way.

It is expected that there will also be a large number of vintage tractors taking part in the event.

Paul said that many of those who participated told him that it was an opportunity for them to spruce up their tractors.

“It was a phenomenal sight to see so many tractors being driven along the road and everyone who participated was delighted with the event.

“There was even a photographer from Athlone who took photos of the individual tractors, sold them to their owners and donated the proceeds to the charity,” Paul explained.