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Rescheduled Harvest Day

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.

De Courcey Harvest Day Raffle Launch

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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

 

 

Presentation Night ’15 Photo Gallery

De Courcey Harvest Day 2015 Event Report (The Miracle in Ballinadee)

Ballinspittle in De Courcey Country is famous for miracles but the 3rd of August 2015 saw a miracle happen in Ballinadee on the other side of the parish. After prolonged heavy rain on the previous night the Bank Holiday Monday dawned with sunshine and a fresh breeze to dry out the corn for the annual harvest working day.

By midday conditions were perfect for cutting and lasted for the full day however in the evening time when the harvest was complete the opening in the weather vanished and down again came the heavy rain.
The De Courcey harvest working day is now in its fifth year. Previously the event has been held at Barrell’s Cross, Kinsale but this year it was held on the land of Paddy and Anne McCarthy in Ballinadee. The McCarthy family have a long association with farming, machinery and especially harvest equipment.
The theme selected for the 2015 harvest day was “A century of change” and featured horse drawn machines right up to modern combine harvesters. The official opening was performed my Mr Michael Moroney of the Irish Farmers Journal.

 

On arriving at the site visitors were met by a line-up of vintage combines all oiled and greased having been prepared in advance for the big day. But before the combines took to the fields, the day’s action began in the tilling area with vintage tractors joining Donal McCarthy’s Clysdale horses ploughing and tilling at the top of the field. Also in this section was Tommy Hales with his Lanz Bulldog. Alongside the tilling area O Sullivan’s thresher from Caheragh was lining up with Lordon’s steam engine from Bandon.

Finally the last of the tractors arrived for the static display and the cutting began. First away were the older trailed combines and the smaller self-propelled machines. Among these were several Massey Fergusons including the 1986 MF16 owned by Marcus McKenna and Dan Joe O Sullivan. This machine previously belonged to the Dept. of Agriculture and was used on the experimental crop plots. Also in this group was Jim Connolly’s 1969 Ransomes Cavalier 902 a rare machine indeed in this country.

As the combine worked away Con Ahern with help from the O’Donoughue family tackled up a team of three draught horses to the reaper and binder. The binder originally belonged to his father and was on loan for the harvest day. The sight of three horses working as a team to pull the binder drew a large crowd.

When the older combines finished up, the yellow machines took over. There were various New Hollands including the landowner Paddy McCarthy in his 1974, 1530 model. This machine was bought from Henry Goods in Kinsale in 1976. Paddy was only sixteen years of age at the time and is still working the same combine. The crowds were well entertained into the afternoon with the bigger machines making short work of the remaining corn.

Throughout the day music and entertainment was to be had at the grandstand. The picnic area was full with people enjoying food from several outlets set up for the day. The static display had an impressive line-up of tractors and cars. Some nice landrovers attended including Kieran Sisk with his impressive 1979 series three and caravan combination, a familiar sight on the rally circuit. Also in the static area was John Sullivan from Sandycove with the 1973 Dania D5000 self-propelled silage harvester which he has owned since 1974.

When all thought the day was over there was a surprise in store. The combine harvesters were not loading up for the trip home just yet. They were setting up in the next field to cut in formation for the benefit of the many spectators who were taking photographs.

When the cutting was over and the last combine shut down the crowd gathered for the draw to see who would be making the trip to Paris. When the draw was over people gathered around the picnic area. Combine men came to have some well-earned food from the barbeque, a cup of tea or something stronger after the day following their machines.

The talk amongst everyone was about the miraculous break in the weather and how once again De Courceys managed a successful and memorable Harvest Day.The Club would like to thank the McCarthy Family and the Twomey Family for their support in running the event and thanks also to the army of volunteers who every year turn out to help us. We look forward to 2016 and another Harvest.

Prizes from DeCourcey Harvest Day draw as follows.
Holiday to Disneyland Paris.
Sponsored by Barters travel Bandon.
Winner Cally O Leary, Kinsale.

Weekend in Killarney.
Sponsored by International Hotel.
Winner John Sutton.

Golf 4 Ball at Kinsale Golf Club.
Winner Julia Flynn, Ballinadee.

All Ireland Tickets,
Sponsored by Courcey Rovers Rovers GAA Club.
Winner Donal Twomey.

Meal for two,
Speckled Door Old Head.
Winner Martina Coughlan.

Harvest 2015 Launch

This day two weeks the 2015 De Courcey Harvest Working Day takes place. It’s launch took place in Ballinadee last Monday, the 13th of July.

Chairman of De Courcey Classic and Vintage club told how the McCarthy Family, land owners of this years site have a long history associated with Harvesting and Milling.

Members from each group who will benefit from funds raised on the day also said a few words.

Afterwards Corcoran’s Bar in Ballinadee hoisted some refreshments.

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The Story of Henry Ford Talk

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Last May the new Kilmacsimon Community centre, Bandon, Co Cork was the venue for a very well attended slideshow and talk about the West Cork and South Coast railway organized by the De Courcey Vintage Club and presented by Mr Chris Larkin. The evening was a huge success being both informative and also a great social occasion with a chance for a cup of tea and a chat during the interval.

Another historic talk is planned for the evening of Monday 4th May next at 8 P.M. in the same venue. This year’s talk will be presented by Mr Tim Crowley of the Michael Collins centre, Timoleague and will cover the history of Henry Ford from his family’s origins in Ballinscarthy to his great industrial success story with the famous Ford model T motor car. It is sure to be a most enjoyable night for anyone interested in either the history of West Cork or the history of the automobile.

Below are some pictures from the Irish Model T Club Ballinadee Run last October

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A Century of Change

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De Courcey Classic and vintage Club, building on the success of the Claas Centenary and the New Holland Basildon 50 celebrations are once again planning a major event for the 2015 August Bank Holiday Monday.

The theme for this year’s event will be “A century of Change”. As in previous years it will of course be a working day. Visitors will be able to see teams of horses working with implements and machinery from bygone farming days as well as the giant harvesters of today and everything in between.

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 ‘Friends of Jamie Wall Trust Fund”.

Friends of Jamie Wall 

Jamie Wall is a local young teacher who led a very active life and was much involved in the GAA, playing both hurling and football for Cork in Under 21’s and Minors. Unfortunately Jamie suffered a severe illness in 2014 which left him requiring a great deal of care. ‘The friends of Jamie Wall’ fund was set up to raise funds to support Jamie’s rehabilitation and aid in his goal of once again living an independent life.

The team at De Courcey’s look forward to fine weather on the August Bank Holiday Monday and a great day at our new site in Ballinadee to celebrate the ‘Century of Change’.

Bill Chambers PRO.

Contact John 087 2667296 or Martin 087 6060777.

 

Parades

As spring arrives in 2015 the Vintage Club is starting to get ready for the season ahead. First up will be the local St Patricks Day parades.

The club will be attending as many parades as possible to publicise this year’s August Bank Holiday Harvest day.

Kinsale, Bandon and Courtmacsherry parades will be attended as usual and hopefully a few more as well.

 

New Holland at Harvest Day 2014

De Courcey Classic and Vintage Club are delighted to have New Holland as a partner in this year’s Harvest Working day at Barrell’s Cross, Kinsale, Co. Cork. The Club is looking forward with anticipation to the various Ford and New Holland models that will be on show at Barrell’s Cross on Mon 4th August.

Recently the Club committee met with Gordon and Lorraine Sullivan from MC and S Agrisales Ltd, to discuss the upcoming event. Pictured at this meeting alongside a New Holland T7.200 was a Fordson N belonging to Keith Bryan of Waterfall. This tractor with the Cork stamp on the fuel tank was built in the Ford plant at the Marina in 1929.

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Tractor production in Europe began at the Ford plant in Cork in 1919 when the Model N was produced there. When tractor manufacture moved to Dagenham in the U.K. in the 1930’s, so many of the Irish workers also made the move that Dagenham became known as “Little Cork”. In 1964 the tractor production moved to a modern plant in Basildon to begin assembly of the new generation of 1000 series Fords. The plant became New Holland in the 1990’s. Fifty years on from 1964 Ford and New Holland return to Cork where it all began.

In Ireland, New Holland are celebrating the 50 years of production in Basildon by sponsoring the De Courcey Harvest working day 2014. The Harvest working day will showcase modern and Classic Combine Harvesters starting back at the MZ89 model through the Clayes 103, the Clayson 135 , Sperry/ New Holland models of the 60’s and 70’s to the 80 Series the TX32 and 34, the 60 , 700, 800 and 8000 Series, with the CX8090 Model representing the current range.

As in previous years at De Courcey’s all of these machines will be seen operating in the harvesting area.

As well as combines a full range of tractors dating from the Ford plant in Cork, The Fordsons from Dagenhan, The 1000 series, the silver jubilee 7810’s up to this year’s golden jubilee T6 and T7 models manufactured in Basildon will all be on show.

Currently undergoing restoration is a 1919 Ford model F. This tractor rolled off the production line in Cork during the first months of operation and will hopefully be ready for display at the event.

In addition a special attraction will celebrate the evolution of ploughing from the horse drawn era through each decade to the latest New Holland machines. Visitors will see horses ploughing, Ford model F’s and N’s, Fordson 27N “High Nellys”, Fordson Majors and Dextas, 1000 series , 600 Series, 10 Series , 40, 60 and 70 Series and the TM T7000 models. Each tractor will be ploughing with a plough appropriate to the year from ferguson system ploughs to trailed ploughs up to modern reversible equipment.

Other attractions on the day will include horse drawn mowing machines, reaper and binder, Steam threshing, Hand milling of corn, static display of vintage cars, tractors, motorbikes and engines. There will also be music and dancing and plenty of good food.

Funds raised from the event will be donated to Marymount Hospice, Ballinadee and Ballinspittle primary schools and Courcey Rovers underage GAA teams.

AGM

With the final club event behind us the club held its AGM on Monday night 18th November. The Chairman’s and Secretary’s speeches reflected on the successful year enjoyed by the club. There were letters from sponsors and participants complementing the club on their running of the Harvest Day on the August bank holiday as well as letters of thanks from the organisations to which €30,000 had been donated to during the year.

The 2014 committee elected on the night is as follows;

President; Chris Corcoran.

Chairman; John O’Neill.

Secretary; Martin Nyhan.

Treasurer; Brendan Nyhan.

PRO; Bill Chambers.

Assistant; Chairman Edward Draper.

Assistant Secretary/ Safety Officer; John Nyhan.

Assistant Treasurer; Flor Lovell.

Assistant PRO; Jim O’Regan.

Assistant Safety Officer; Diarmuid Coughlan.

The next meeting of the Club is scheduled for 9PM Mon. 27th Jan. at the Blue Horizon, Garrettstown. We would like to invite any lady or gent interested in joining to come along on the night.

The Club is already looking forward to 2014. We are expecting to run three events next year. A spring event at Easter(details of which have yet to be worked out), a Harvest day on the August bank holiday similar to this year’s event with New Holland harvesters and machinery as the theme and of course the Ballinadee threshing next November, which will be celebrating its 21st  anniversary.