The annual Kilkenny College Transition Year Tractor Run rolled back into Kilkenny College last Thursday evening.
This yearly fundraiser was organised by a small but hard-working TY group headed up by Billy Sixsmith. The nominated charity was Threshold. On hand to meet the drivers was past pupil Hazel Beattie of Threshold, which assist renters and the homeless.
Speaking to The Kilkenny People, TY’s Billy Sixsmith said the run would not have been possible without help from many people.
"The Byrne family of JVW Transport have been very good to us for the last 13 years allowing us to gather safely and depart from their yard,” he said.
“Kilkenny Roads Policing Unit have again supported us. I like to thank Garda Sean Maxwell, Garda Aoife Doyle and Garda Andrew Neill for their help. Special thanks must go to Inspector Paul Donohue for his leadership and working with us in school We could not have done it without them.”
The tractors along with three staff tractors were joined by a Marshall Steam Engine from 1912. The proud owner is Ben Tomkins, who is a past pupil of Kilkenny College, and was part of the first run in 2013.
The tractors made the journey from Gowran to the College, with the convoy travelling the 16km in the Carlow Road along the hard shoulder before turning down the Ring Road. It was a short run along the Castlecomer Road before a noisy reception awaited the drivers in Kilkenny College.
As well as the boarders who were on hand, many day pupils and members of the school community turned out to welcome the drivers back to school. The wet weather did not damped the spirits of those involved.
The Hegarty Transition Year Tractor Run Cup was awarded to Wesley Coyle of Form 6.The judges were William Hutchinson, Robin Wallace and Bryan Daniels who all have extensive agricultural experience and are past pupils of the College.
The sub-committee would like to thank the judges, JVW Transport, Kilkenny Roads Policing Unit, McCarthy Commercials, as well as the College staff for assisting. Without each of their respective contribution this event would not be possible.
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