Memorial tractor and vintage run in Strokestown raises €26,600 for two charities

A highly successful memorial tractor and vintage run in Strokestown, celebrating the 60th birthday of the late Mick Kelly (Mad Mick), has raised €26,600 for two charities, Kiltrustan Heartsafe and Strokestown Children’s playground.

The wide streets of Strokestown were the starting point for the memorial tractor and vintage run.

From early morning tractors of all types, sizes, colours and ages gathered, registered and parked on Church Street, as the sun shone on a festive atmosphere. Drivers gathered, enjoying the camaraderie while the ‘Last Chancers’ entertained the spectators who gathered to see the 160+ tractors which were parked up ready to drive, Shortly before take-off, family and friends of Mick released balloons as his birthday was remembered, The run left Strokestown out to Scramogue, across Ballyfeeney, then headed to Tubberpatrick and through Borefield past Mick’s home before turning back into Strokestown accompanied by Donal Power and Ollie Reynolds on bikes, Later in the afternoon celebrations continued in Beirne’s Bar in Strokestown, where a fun filled atmosphere prevailed with music in the lounge with Dublin based radio presenter Gerry Cooley. Outside in the marquee, Tom and Mark Cox held an auction where in excess of 60 lots were sold.

Following this ‘The Rough and Ready Band’ took to the stage and entertained the lively crowd, The committee was delighted with the day as it benefits local organisations Kiltrustan Heartsafe and Strokestown Children’s playground.

The committee would like to thank the many sponsors: Silver Eel; Strokestown Show, Kevin Feeney ,KF Tints, Kilglass, Martin Shiel, Triste Press, John and Finnoula Lawe, Mannion Insurance, Elphin Fitted Furniture, Fergal Kelly and Chloe Rogers, County Photos, Percy French Hotel, Kepak Athleague, Casey Brennan Engineering, Damien Glover/King and Moffit, James Owens, Seerey’s Cash and Carry, John and Aidan Dooley, Coxe’s Steakhouse, Dromod, the Kelly Family, Michael Carr Foods, BB Foods, Carroll Cuisine, Cuisine de France, also a couple of very generous sponsors who wish to remain anonymous.

Auction donors were; Westward Scania, Brogan’s Garage, Mary P Ian Johnson painter and decorator , Hanly Eurospar, Kelly Trucks, Helen Compton, Gaynor's Plant Hire, Diane Mullooly -The Healing Space, Strokestown Golf Club, Kilglass GAA, SuperValu Strokestown, D& E McHugh, Vow Europe, Damien Sheridan, Aidan Dooley, Pádraig and Catherine McGrath Barry Feeney, Feeney Fencing, Kilglass, Dawn to Dusk, Des Caslin, painter and decorator, John McCourt Vet, Conor Beirne, Ellie King, Funky Fringed, Christopher Neary, Tomás Feeney, Kilglass Livestock Haulage, Mid Roscommon Vintage Club, Marcus Hanly, Hanly Quarries, Tommy Ward, Ward’s Quarry, Mark McDonagh, Miele, Ireland, Power and Rogers Agri Contractors, Beirne Bros, Strokestown, Peter Connor, Greenvale c/o Cormac Dolan, Brendan and John Casey, Enda Ward, Ward’s Quarry, Mickey Regan, Pádraig Connolly, Fergal Kelly Joe McEvoy, Tom, Carmel, Genevieve and Mark Cox, Shane Reilly , Peter Farrell, John and Finnoula Lawe , Richard Jordan, Jab Lighting, Peter Hanley, Strokestown Hardware, Kiltrustan Sports Club, Sean Moylan Gerry Cooley, Garrett Mullooly, Jack Cahill, Mick and Orla Regan, Enda Taylor Haulage.

Raffle sponsors: the staff at Eurospar; DG Restaurant at the Silver Eel, Helen Compton, Patricia Rogers, the Silver Eel, the Hayloft, the Sportsman, Antonellis, Keith Revins, the Cutting Edge Hair Salon, Blade to Fades Barbers, Strokestown Hardware, Kilronan Castle Hotel, McGuires Roosky, Alice Kelly Mary P , Catherine O'Connor, McDonnell’s Chemist Strokestown, Claire Murphy, Gleeson’s Restaurant, Scott Hunter NCTS, Collette McLoughlin, Tianna Kelly Emma Casey, Isle of Dogs, Kelly Trucks, Linda Flanagan, Kieran Levy Auctioneer and Bar, Joe Kelly Plant Hire Kilglass.

The event could not have happened without a huge amount help and the committee would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to the following for their assistance in making the day a success: Phillip Duignan and Brian Flanagan for Photography; Daniel Bloor, Alan Dolan, and Donnacha Meehan for the drone footage; The Last Chancers; Gerry Cooley; the Rough and Ready Band for the fantastic music throughout the day and night; Garrett Mullooly for the power supply; Jack Cahill for the video; Triest Press for all the printing; Roscommon People; Roscommon Herald; Agriland; Shannonside Radio; Strokestown Town Team for the gazebos; Niall Murray, Ros Plant Ballaghaderreen for the road sign; Roscommon County Council and Irish Water for the cones; Tom and Mark Cox for handling the auction; Fergal and Chloe for the hi viz for the committee Andrea M Guinness for printing on the hi viz; Isabelle for the bracelets for the committee to mark Mick’s 60th; the gardaí for their advice and assistance, Donal Power and Ollie Reynolds for the bikes, the Ladies who catered, those who made and provided sandwiches,cakes etc; Strokestown GAA; Eurospar and Jackie Flanagan for the boilers; those who sold raffle tickets and assisted with the raffle; Henry Owens for his advice and assistance from the beginning, it was much appreciated ; to everyone who came out to steward/marshall or assist in any way; to the Beirne family, Bridie, Tony, Valarie, Francis, Janet, Lauren,J ack, Miriam and David Lavin who hosted the afternoon festivities, cleared the yard, erected marquee and ensured the smooth running of the auction and music; to all who donated through the Idonate link, the credit union, donated on day or gave donations to the committee; to all of you who came out in such large numbers on the day, took part in the run, bought raffle tickets, bought at auction and danced the night away.

The committee hope you enjoyed the event and is sure that Mick was proudly looking down, delighted to see everyone enjoying themselves.

A presentation to the beneficiaries will be held on Sunday, May 4th in the Silver Eel.