Strokestown set for biggest tractor, truck and vintage run to date

Today, Sunday, December 21st, Strokestown hosts its 4th and biggest Tractor Truck and Vintage Run to date, supporting Beaumont Hospital after the amazing story of Alan Gibbons. 

The committee is hugely thankful for the support of the Gibbons family and are thrilled to see Alan back out at the show ring and sales after a fantastic recovery.

This year there are a host of prizes available from Best Turned Out Cattle Truck, Best Lit Tractor, and Best 4x4 Jeep just to name a few. The adjudication is being done by some of the most influential ladies in their respective professions. Sophie Bell from Cavan and Katie Fahey from Galway will be on hand to cast an eye over the entries and decide on the winners.

This year organisers are also introducing the Lexie Casey Perpetual Cup for the Best Turned Out Fleet of Trucks. Lexie had his own fleet of trucks and they were always turned out immaculately, so it is fitting to see such an award carry his name and his passion of all things haulage and his attention to detail on his trucks. This would not have been possible without the support of Angela and Emma Casey who have been amazingly supportive, thank you both from everyone involved.

The routes are also very different this year. Driving Home For Christmas holds a different meaning when it's for a charity or community group who rely on funds to continue their hard work. Beaumont Hospital reaches far greater than just Strokestown and there are a number of families in the region who have and continue to attend Beaumont regularly following organ donation or neurological supports.

The truck run is leaving Strokestown for Elphin, Tulsk, Roscommon, Ballyleague, Cloontuskert, Scramogue and back to Strokestown.  Have your children's bikes, trikes, tractors and trucks at the Strokestown Community & Sports Centre for 4 p.m.. The main run starts at 4:30 p.m.

The vintage tractors take a meandering 13km route across the lower parts of Sliabh Bawn with stunning views across Bumlin and Strokestown.

The main tractor run will bring drivers to new heights after following a smooth tarmac road section, it climbs the mountain of Sliabh Báwn for a 10km route taking in stunning views of Cloontuskert, Ballyleague, Lanesborough, Roscommon, Kilbride and Strokestown. For the first time in 15 years, there is access to those tractors who make the journey to the Christmas Tractor Truck and Vintage Run. After eight months of work, with huge thank you to Coillte and Bord na Móna, the route was finalised in early December. This route is only accessible to tractors that have entered the run and to complete the 40km run. No other vehicles will be allowed access.

The convoy of tractors, trucks and vintage machines return to Strokestown via the N5 before completing a parade lap of the town where they will meet with "The Ickle Run".

The Ickle Run is a run for children who have received bikes, trikes, tractors and trucks for birthdays and from Santa in previous years. Last year saw 60 children participate and this year it is hoped to see even more as their little faces are lit up and glowing to flashing beacons and Christmas lights in the amazing setting of Strokestown with its now world renowned festive lighting.

These events take huge collaboration between bodies and would not happen without a massive effort from volunteers. The marshals are the real stars of the run with their willingness to give up their free time to ensure a safe, enjoyable event for young and old. "We have a lady who is well advanced in her years travelling from the UK and is specifically flying in to go for a spin on a tractor on Sliabh Bawn, if that is not an indication that these events are important, show me one," said a spokesperson person for the group.

To finish off the year on a high, Late Nite Radio Band take to the stage in the Percy French Hotel that night. An ideal way to celebrate a successful year in the region - Strokestown Tidy Towns having another double figure increase in their score, the ongoing success of Strokestown GAA who are supporting the run with their facilities, a successful year for Strokestown United, and an amazing year for Strokestown Agricultural Show and Food Fair.