De Courcey Vintage Club present a Historical talk & film show about the 1954 World Ploughing in Killarney & other events by Mr Robert Kidd, with special guest newly elected chairman of the National Ploughing Association, Mr Denis Keohane, at Kilmacsimon Community Centre on Monday 1st May at 8pm
The Ransome’s thresher belonging to John O’Neill was once again star attraction at the old time threshing in aid of ARC House Cancer Support Centre at Corcoran’s Bar Ballinadee on Sunday 6th November. As always Chris, Joanie and family put on a great show and the weather could not have been kinder.
This year there was a change to the vintage run with the day’s events started in Ballinspittle instead of Garrettstown. Organised by the De Courcey vintage Club the tractors began forming up at midday outside the CO-OP before departing at 1 PM and travelled in convoy to Ballinadee village, where they lined up outside of Corcoran’s on display for the afternoon. Michael O Sullivan’s David Brown 1410 and Rory Crowley’s Fiat 1000 together made a nice pair with the Corcoran’s sign behind them. Jim Connolly’s amazing triple Doe Major set-up was the talk of the day and Denis O Reilly’s Roadless Ploughmaster 75 was also a very interesting addition to the tractors on show.
In the yard beside the pub, John O’Neill had his B-450 International lined up to the Ransome’s thresher and rare Claas trusser. Jim Footman soon had the sheaves flying and Richie Sweetnam was feeding the thresher for the evening. All around the machine there was activity as the sheaves went through on top, grain poured into sacks and chaff flew around the threshing crew.
There were several vintage cars on display. Special mention must go to Gus Murphy and his beautiful DKW. Raymond White from Ballinspittle had a display of historic artefacts on show. Con Ahern and Pat O Neill had a horse drawn scuffler in action down in the haggard and drew a fascinated crowd when the threshing men took a break midway through the afternoon.
Break over! it was back to work in the November sunshine until the stack of sheaves was gone and the grain sacks were filled. The event was very well attended with a nice crowd in Corcoran’s yard for the evening watching the threshing and enjoying the chat with friends and neighbours.
When the work was done the threshing team were called to the parlour for supper. There were some fascinating stories told of bygone days, accidents and blackguarding at threshing’s long ago. After the meal true to the threshing tradition of old, it was out with the musical instruments with another great night of music and song.
On the day there was €2,396 raised for ARC House and the Corcoran family would like to express sincere thanks to all who helped especially the local musicians who without fail provide wonderful entertainment at events throughout year.
Bill Chambers P.R.O. DeCourcey Classic and Vintage Club.
The Old time threshing will take place at Corcorans Bar, Ballinadee at 2P.M. on Sunday 6th of November.
The event is to raise funds for ARC House cancer support center.
On Saturday the 1st of October the De Courcey Classic and Vintage Club held a presentation night at Corcorans Bar, Ballinadee. The Club had funds raised at the 2016 Harvest Working day to distribute to local organisations. This year the Club had €8,500 to present to the various groups.
The main beneficiaries were The Irish Guide Dogs for the blind, who received €4,000. Anne Burns along with her daughter Shirley and guide dog Ruby were on hand to accept the cheque on behalf of the organisation. Representatives from Ballinadee Development Assoc., An Foroige, Courcey Rovers Camogie and ladies football Club were also in attendance to receive €1,500 each. This brings the total amount donated by the club in the last seven years to over €85,500.
The 2016 Harvest day was a challenge for the club. The usual August Bank Holiday Monday was a wash out, forcing the event to be rescheduled to the following Sunday. However despite this the Club members and local people pulled together and managed to run a very successful event on the farm of Paddy and Ann McCarthy in Ballinadee. Club Chairman John O Neil also gave a special presentation to the McCarthy’s in appreciation for the use of their land for the event.
We would like to once again thank all who sponsored prizes for our raffle, Mick Forde from The Farm Grenagh, The McCarthy and Twomey families and all the local groups and individuals who contributed to making the day such a great success.Thanks also to the Corcoran family for providing plenty of refreshments for all at the presentation night.
The Clubs next event will be the road run and threshing at Ballinadee on Sunday 6th of November in aid of ARC House cancer support centre.
Bill Chambers P.R.O. De Courcey Classic and Vintage Club.
The 6th Annual Harvest Day on Sunday 7th August, celebrated the 80th Anniversary of the Ferguson Brown tractor, the first of the Ferguson range, and there were many example of that line both working and displayed at the event which was held in glorious sunshine.
The official opening was performed by Andrew Pollocks, editor of the Irish Vintage Scene magazine.
Following the opening Mick Forde from ‘The Farm’ Grenagh gave a fascinating presentation of the history of Harry Ferguson from the centre of the Ferguson display.
Then it was on to the action. Vintage combines, the oldest being a 1949 Massey Harris through to the trailed combines and on to the self propelled models took to the field.
For the next two hours the crowds soaked up the sights and sounds of the vintage harvesters moving through the corn. JJ Hayes was on the speaker describing each model as it carried out its task.
Throughout the day old time harvesting was displayed with binders, stooking and steam threshing. The catering side was busy with Barracuda, Clonakilty Blackpudding and the club hospitality tent busy all day satisfying the crowds.
As usual for the De Courcey event the days work finished with a grand finale of all Harvesters cutting in precise formation.
The event rounded off with refreshments, music and dance.
One of the final events was the Harvest Day raffle, with the winners being:
1st Michael O’Sullivan, Kilgobblin – Trip for two to London
2nd John O’Brien, Farrangalway, Kinsale – Two Nights Accommodation in Killarney
3rd Nattie Downing, Old Head – Golf 4-Ball at Kinsale Golf Club
4th Martin Miller, Bandon – Football signed by Roy Keane
5th Teddy McCarthy, Bantry – Meal for two at the Speckled Door, Old Head
This years event was in aid of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and local groups.
De Courcey Classic & Vintage Club Classic and Vintage Club would like to thank Paddy and Ann McCarthy for the great site and everyone that supported the event.
De Courcey Harvest Working Day 2016 in aid of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Bind and local groups. Originally advertised for August Bank Holiday Monday is now rescheduled for Sunday 7th of August in Ballinadee, Bandon, Co, Cork.
The event now in it’s 6th year will focus on the 80th Anniversary of the Ferguson tractor brand. We will have a large working display of Ferguson system implements as well as our usual display of Combine Harvesters, binders and horse drawn equipment.
For further info contact John O’Neill on 087 266 7296 or John Quinn on 086 8162 529. Check out our website www.decourceyvintage.com or find us on Facebook @decourceyvintage.
On Monday the 1st Aug 2016 the 6th Annual De Courcey Harvest working day takes place in Ballinadee, Bandon, Co Cork. This year the theme is “80 years of the Ferguson tractor” and will be officially opened by Mr Andrew Pollock editor of the Irish Vintage Scene magazine.
2016 may be the 100th anniversary of the Rising but it is also the 80th anniversary of the start of production of the Ferguson tractor line, with the Ferguson Brown being manufactured in 1936. One of these rare tractors will be on display in Ballinadee at the event curtesy of Mick Forde of “The Farm” Grenagh, Co Cork, see www.visitthefarm.ie . We will have a large number of Ferguson tractors and Ferguson system implements on show and being demonstrated by their owners in our special Ferguson tilling area.
A highlight of the event will be a presentation by Pat O’Donovan on Ferguson and the Ferguson system.
Star attractions of the Harvest Working Day will of course be the growing numbers of vintage combines from all over the country that attend this event each year. Mick Forde has promised to bring a Massey Harris 726 combine which he states is probably the oldest self-propelled combine in Ireland.
A highlight of the event will be the annual raffle. Top prize will be a trip to London with Barters travel of Bandon.
The De Courcey Harvest Day began in 2011 as an idea to put on a working demonstration using several restored vintage combine harvesters from the locality. The event was very successful and the following year increased in size with both participant and visitor numbers doubling.
Both 2013 and 2014 saw a radical change as sponsorship from first Claas and then New Holland allowed the De Courcey Vintage Club to organise an event of national significance on a thirty five acre site. These shows attracted several thousand visitors to Barrell’s Cross Kinsale. Both these events received much positive coverage in overseas publications as well as in Ireland.
The harvest working day now features working areas with continuous activity. Harvesters, reaper and binders and every sort of machinery associated with the harvest past and present can be seen working throughout the day.
Tilling is also represented with a ploughed field filled with vintage machinery turning the soil and planting crops.
Many horse operated machines will be operating on the day. Horses will be ploughing, harrowing, cutting corn, threshing and drawing cartloads of sheaves.
Also on site will be a picnic area surrounded by food outlets showcasing some of our unique West Cork products. Last year’s participants included Clonakilty black puddings, Barracuda BBQ and Clona Dairies.
Of course the event will also have a large static display of vintage commercial vehicles, cars and tractors. This section continues to grow each year.
Continuing with our commitment to supporting local causes, this year funds raised will once again go to several local groups in De Courcey’s parish but our main beneficiary will be the ‘Irish guide dogs for the blind ‘. The guide dogs will be attending to meet the public on the day.
The other groups are as follows; Ballinadee Development Assoc. The local Foroige group and Courcey Rovers Ladies football and Camogie Club, .
Bill Chambers P.R.O. De Courcey classic and Vintage club.
Contact
Chairman: John O Neill 087 266 7296
Secretary: John Quinn 086 8162529
Similar to previous years, there are no trade stands permitted at our Harvest Working Day.
Food stalls are limited and only approved vendors are allowed in the Food Village.