Clonoulty Rossmore Vintage Rally 2013
On the 18th August Clonoulty Rossmore Vintage Club held their 13thAnnual Vintage Rally in Clonoulty. The idyllic weather allowed for a great, fun day to be enjoyed by all and attracted a large number of attendees and exhibitors to the rally, the live music played by Tony O ‘Dwyer, Paul Mc Carthy, Liam Meehan and Noel Taylor. The working exhibits such as the butter making display put on by Tipperary Vintage Club and the 1928 Hassia apple peeler displayed by our old friends Joe and Murt Ryan, Portlaoise, added to the already relaxed and merry atmosphere of the show. John Hayes, former Munster and Ireland prop was in attendance, his humble and approachable 
demeanour allowing for a great time to be had by all who met him.
The threshing was a great favourite with the crowd; John Leamy’s of DuallaAllan Bros 1925 Threshing Mill was at full throttle powered by Alex Crosse of Donaskeagh 1908 Fowel Steam Traction Engine. This was overseen by renowned experts Mick Looby and John Heffernan also from Dualla who have been tremendous support over the past 13 years.
Good old fashion fun was provided by the various side shows, guess the weight of the bullocks provided for great debate among the stock judges. Throwing the sheaf was also a great spectacle the experts made it look so easy Gary Carey proving to be a worthy winner. Quinn’s Bar Killenaule won the Tug o War which was a hard fought contest. Annalea Greene won the bicycle obstacle course a change from riding horses. Children had great fun on the bouncy castle, bucking bronco and fuzze ball. Sean Ryan (J) novel idea of taking the cap off a bottle and opening a can of Coke with a silage loading shovel ended in a nail biting finish watched by a large crowd local Oisin Fryday was a popular young winner. Bargain galore were available in the Bric a Brac , trade stands were a popular addition to the other activities.
There was an increase in the number of cars exhibited on other years, the oldest was a 1920 Humber owned by Michael Ryan, Slatefield. There were a large number of cars owned by locals Tom Maher’s 1951 Riley, Billy Maher’s 1955 Ford Popular and Fr. Tom Egan’s 1965 Triumph Herald to mention a few.
There is a huge resurgence in the restoration of vintage tractors which was evident on the day with over 60 tractors on display. Mick Looby, Dualla displayed his 1952 Fordson Major, John O ’Dwyer, Drom had a 1954 Ferguson 20 on display. The oldest on the day was a John Deere with metal wheels. We were delighted to see a great variety of stationary engines and vintage memorabilia on exhibit.
We will make a presentationof €12,000 Brendan O’Keefe of South Tipperary Hospice Movement on Saturday the 14th September in Simon’s Bar, Clonoulty. An auction will be held on the night with numerous item s up for grabs varying from a golf 4 ball for Dundruim, a load of sand or gravel from Barry’s Quarry, a load of slig from Donal O’KeefeWe would like to thank everyone for their continued support and help without which we wouldn’t be in the position to help the very deserving South Tipperary Hospice Movement.
