Council CEO and young inventor launch big show

Council CEO and young inventor launch big show

THE South Kerry Ploughing Championships and Harvest Show, a hugely popular charity event that turns back the clock and looks to the future on the same day, will take place on Sunday, September 3.

Organised by KillarneyValley Classic and Vintage and now in its fourth year, the day-long event will take place on Fleming’s Farm at Grenagh, Fossa, Killarney.

This year’s show was officially launched at a reception in the Innisfallen Hotel at the weekend by Kerry County Council Chief Executive Moira Murrell and teenage entrepreneur Jack Nagle, a prizewinner at the Young Scientists exhibition with his invention of a safety lock for tractors that engages the handbrake automatically.

Also in attendance were Mayor of Kerry, Cllr John Sheahan and Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Niall Kelleher.

Speaking at the launch, Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Chairman, Tom Leslie, said since it was started in 2014, the event has generated tens of thousands of euro for local charities and, at this stage, the club has contributed close on €100,000 to worthy causes.

This year’s beneficiaries will be the Kerry branch of the Irish Kidney Association, Down Syndrome Kerry, the Irish Pilgrimage Trust and the Kerry-Cork Health Link Bus.

“A massive attraction this year is that the event will incorporate the National Rally of the Irish Vintage Society, showcasing Ireland’s great heritage, and this year’s show will also feature a round of the Irish Tractor Pulling Championships which is always a great spectacle,” Tom said.

The latter involves heavily modified tractors pulling massive weights along a pre-determined track and it is billed as the most powerful motor sport in the world.

The big day will feature numerous trade stands, traditional and modern method ploughing demonstrations, sheep shearing competitions, harvesting demos, machinery showcases and traditional farm practice exhibitions.

Two fun zones and a popular maze in the maize will be on site to keep children amused and novelty sideshow events will include an all-breed dog show, baking competitions and live music to create a real party atmosphere. 

Several food zones will be on site at this year’s South Kerry Ploughing Championships and Harvest Show and there will be terrific prizes on offer to the best-dressed man and woman and the winner of the always popular bonny baby contest

A major trade stand marquee will be located on the grounds with competitively priced exhibition space available to local businesses, community groups and clubs who might wish to get their message across to thousands of visitors. For information on exhibition space availability contact event secretary Ann Marie O’Sullivan on 087-9726200 or email southkerryploughing@gmail.com.

A major traffic management plan will be enforced in Killarney on the day while the South Kerry Ploughing Championships and Harvest Show will take place on 60 acres of land owned by the Fleming family.