The annual Mountbellew Vintage Rally will take place in the mart grounds from 10 am on Sunday, July 28th, and with the generosity of local landowners, the site will extend to over sixty acres in total!
This massive display of every conceivable piece of historic farm machinery, vintage tractors, and cars will bring happy memories back to an older generation who lived in an environment so vastly different to the way we live today. Similarly, such a presentation of ancient equipment – including household goods from pre-electricity times – will be an eye-opener for all young people and present them with an insight into how their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents lived.
A new lawnmower race will be held, as well as a first-time exhibition of the Porsche tractors and cars from the 1940s/1950s, and very old Lanz Bulldog tractors that haven’t seen the light of day for years!
A special musical presentation will be made by the well-known country and western singer Ciaran Rosney and his band, with music and song to suit every generation.
A new vintage road run will be held on Saturday evening, July 27th, commencing in the Square in Mountbellew at 5 pm, and all proceeds will be given to charities.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Chairperson of the Vintage Committee Mickey Joe Cunningham said, “This year’s rally will cater for young and old alike, and is specially aimed at families, who will have free parking adjacent to the rally complex. The admission charge is €10 per adult, and all children can attend for free.
“A special traffic plan will be in operation for use by all patrons, who can enter and leave without any delay or fuss”, added Mr Cunningham, explaining that Safety Officer Joe Treacy has a team of trained persons to reduce the likelihood of any accident happening, and that this strategy has been very successful down through the years.
Hard-working Rally Secretary Donal Caddy said, “This year there will be overnight parking accommodation made available for camper vans, in order to facilitate our expected patrons from Dublin to Donegal”.
A highlight of the weekend will be the arrival of the mammoth steam engines, a comprehensive hay-making project, and – for the first time ever – the building of the old-type ‘sheep cock’, which was a feature of every sheep farm across Galway over 50 years ago.
Enquiries can be made by email to mountbellew.vintage.club@gmail.com.
