Dublin to Mayo Tractor Run on course to raise €50,000

Michael Commins

THE wheels are in motion, the drivers are raring to go, and all is in place for the Dublin to Mayo Tractor Run this Easter Weekend. The 20 drivers will be wished a safe journey at 9am on Good Friday by Michael Fitzmaurice TD who will cut the ribbon to get the drive underway from the Papal Cross at the Phoenix Park.
The mammoth venture has already surpassed expectations by a country mile. The organisers set an initial target of €10,000 to be shared equally between Crumlin’s Children Hospital in Dublin and Castlebar Special Care Unit.
“We have already collected close on €37000,” said John Corley from Kilkelly at the weekend. “The support has been phenomenal and we have now re-set our target to €50,000 which is five times greater than the original one. People have rallied to the cause around the country and we are so grateful to all who have come on board and lent support in various ways.”
The tractor run will journey down the ‘old’ road via Lucan, Leixlip, Maynooth, Kilcock, Enfield, Mother Hubbard’s, Clonard, Kinnegad, Miltownpass, Mullingar, Rathowen, Edgeworthstown and Longford. An overnight stay is planned for Feerick’s in Rathowen on Good Friday night.
The convoy will resume on Saturday morning and proceed through Lanesboro, Roscommon, Ballymoe, Castlerea, Ballinlough, Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Knock, Kiltimagh, Bohola and Ballyvary before concluding the long haul in Castlebar.
“The plan is to reach Castlebar by around 4pm on Saturday afternoon. So many people are coming in behind us and some tractor drivers will join us for a few miles as we come down through the various counties.
“The Longford Vintage Club is already proving to be a great help to us. So too are Feerick’s in Rathowen and the Longford Arms.
“We are very thankful to the Garda Siochana who are also giving us great help from Dublin down to Mayo and Murray Ambulances, Castlebar, who are accompanying usall along the journey,” says John.
A special celebration night to mark the completion of the venture will be held in Breaffy House Hotel on Saturday night (April 1) starting around 8pm. Entertainment will be provided by Marty Mone, Pamela Gilmartin, The Grassmen and Tommy Elliott. The draw for the top prize of a 35 tractor will take place during the celebrations.
Anyone wishing to lend some financial support can do so on the Go Fund Me link at https://www.gofundme.com/dublin2mayo-charity-tractor-run-201 or buying a raffle ticket.

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Further details can be had from the following members of the steering committee: John Corley (087 4115854), Brendan Colgan (087 7630147), Tom Lavelle (087 4267070), Padraic Gallagher (087 3360020) and Adrian Maye (086 4053147).
Regular updates are being carried on the Dublin to Mayo Tractor Run page on Facebook.