Tag Archives: Blind

De Courcey Harvest Day 2016 – Event Report

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 Day 2016.

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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

De Courcey Harvest Day Raffle Launch

Ticket

On the evening of 30th May members of the De Courcey classic and Vintage Club gathered in Ballinadee. Also present were representatives of the following Organisations; The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Courcey Rovers Camogie Club, Ballinadee Development Association and the local Foroige group.

The purpose of the gathering was to officially launch the Harvest working day raffle. The top prize is a trip to London with Barter Travel Bandon and the draw will be held at the annual De Courcey Harvest working day.

The working day will once again be held on the farm of Paddy and Anne McCarthy in Ballinadee, Bandon. The date for the event is Bank Holiday Monday 1st Aug.

2016 is the 80th anniversary of the start of production of the Ferguson tractor 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” Greneagh, Co Cork. visitthefarm.ie

We will have a large number of Ferguson tractors and Ferguson system implements on show and being demonstrated by their owners. Star attractions will of course be the growing numbers of vintage combines from all over the country that attend this event each year.

For further info visit www.decourceyvintage.com

Call 087 2667296 or 086 8162529

Launch of the De Courcey Harvest Working Day Raffle in aid the Irish Guide Dogs and local Community Groups on Monday 1st August marking the 80th anniversary of the production of the Ferguson Tractor, top prize is a trip to London with Barter Travel, Bandon. Pictured are Bill Chambers, John Quinn, Jimmy Regan, Simon Draper, Jim Leahy, Irish Guide Dogs, Chris Corcoran, Martin Nyhan, Johnny O'Neill, Mags Lordan, Elaine Hynes and Caroline Gallagher with Buttons and Ubi trained Guide Dogs

Launch of the De Courcey Harvest Working Day Raffle in aid the Irish Guide Dogs and local Community Groups on Monday 1st August marking the 80th anniversary of the production of the Ferguson Tractor, top prize is a trip to London with Barter Travel, Bandon. Pictured are Bill Chambers, John Quinn, Jimmy Regan, Simon Draper, Jim Leahy, Irish Guide Dogs, Chris Corcoran, Martin Nyhan, Johnny O’Neill, Mags Lordan, Elaine Hynes and Caroline Gallagher with Buttons and Ubi trained Guide Dogs. pic Donie Hurley

Launch of the De Courcey Harvest Working Day Raffle in aid the Irish Guide Dogs and local Community Groups on Monday 1st August marking the 80th anniversary of the production of the Ferguson Tractor, top prize is a trip to London with Barter Travel, Bandon. Pictured are the Organising Committee and reps from the Irish Guide Dogs and the local Community groups who will benefit from the event.

Launch of the De Courcey Harvest Working Day Raffle in aid the Irish Guide Dogs and local Community Groups on Monday 1st August marking the 80th anniversary of the production of the Ferguson Tractor, top prize is a trip to London with Barter Travel, Bandon. Pictured are the Organising Committee and reps from the Irish Guide Dogs and the local Community groups who will benefit from the event. Pic Donie Hurley

Launch of the De Courcey Harvest Working Day Raffle in aid the Irish Guide Dogs and local Community Groups on Monday 1st August marking the 80th anniversary of the production of the Ferguson Tractor, top prize is a trip to London with Barter Travel, Bandon. Pictured are Arron O Riordan, Laura Helbrow, Shauna Farrelly, Roisin Gallagher, Niamh Nyhan, Paul O Riordan with Darragh Buttimer in front with Buttons from the Irish Guide Dogs

Launch of the De Courcey Harvest Working Day Raffle in aid the Irish Guide Dogs and local Community Groups on Monday 1st August marking the 80th anniversary of the production of the Ferguson Tractor, top prize is a trip to London with Barter Travel, Bandon. Pictured are Arron O Riordan, Laura Helbrow, Shauna Farrelly, Roisin Gallagher, Niamh Nyhan, Paul O Riordan with Darragh Buttimer in front with Buttons from the Irish Guide Dogs. Pic Donie Hurley