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De Courcey Harvest Day 2016 – Event Report
The 6th Annual Harvest Day on Sunday 7th August, celebrated the 80th Anniversary of the Ferguson Brown tractor, the first of the Ferguson range, and there were many example of that line both working and displayed at the event which was held in glorious sunshine.
The official opening was performed by Andrew Pollocks, editor of the Irish Vintage Scene magazine.
Following the opening Mick Forde from ‘The Farm’ Grenagh gave a fascinating presentation of the history of Harry Ferguson from the centre of the Ferguson display.
Then it was on to the action. Vintage combines, the oldest being a 1949 Massey Harris through to the trailed combines and on to the self propelled models took to the field.
For the next two hours the crowds soaked up the sights and sounds of the vintage harvesters moving through the corn. JJ Hayes was on the speaker describing each model as it carried out its task.
Throughout the day old time harvesting was displayed with binders, stooking and steam threshing. The catering side was busy with Barracuda, Clonakilty Blackpudding and the club hospitality tent busy all day satisfying the crowds.
As usual for the De Courcey event the days work finished with a grand finale of all Harvesters cutting in precise formation.
The event rounded off with refreshments, music and dance.
One of the final events was the Harvest Day raffle, with the winners being:
1st Michael O’Sullivan, Kilgobblin – Trip for two to London
2nd John O’Brien, Farrangalway, Kinsale – Two Nights Accommodation in Killarney
3rd Nattie Downing, Old Head – Golf 4-Ball at Kinsale Golf Club
4th Martin Miller, Bandon – Football signed by Roy Keane
5th Teddy McCarthy, Bantry – Meal for two at the Speckled Door, Old Head
This years event was in aid of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and local groups.
De Courcey Classic & Vintage Club Classic and Vintage Club would like to thank Paddy and Ann McCarthy for the great site and everyone that supported the event.
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 2016.
On Monday the 1st Aug 2016 the 6th Annual De Courcey Harvest working day takes place in Ballinadee, Bandon, Co Cork. This year the theme is “80 years of the Ferguson tractor” and will be officially opened by Mr Andrew Pollock editor of the Irish Vintage Scene magazine.
2016 may be the 100th anniversary of the Rising but it is also the 80th anniversary of the start of production of the Ferguson tractor line, 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” Grenagh, Co Cork, see www.visitthefarm.ie . We will have a large number of Ferguson tractors and Ferguson system implements on show and being demonstrated by their owners in our special Ferguson tilling area.
A highlight of the event will be a presentation by Pat O’Donovan on Ferguson and the Ferguson system.
Star attractions of the Harvest Working Day will of course be the growing numbers of vintage combines from all over the country that attend this event each year. Mick Forde has promised to bring a Massey Harris 726 combine which he states is probably the oldest self-propelled combine in Ireland.
A highlight of the event will be the annual raffle. Top prize will be a trip to London with Barters travel of Bandon.
The De Courcey Harvest Day began in 2011 as an idea to put on a working demonstration using several restored vintage combine harvesters from the locality. The event was very successful and the following year increased in size with both participant and visitor numbers doubling.
Both 2013 and 2014 saw a radical change as sponsorship from first Claas and then New Holland allowed the De Courcey Vintage Club to organise an event of national significance on a thirty five acre site. These shows attracted several thousand visitors to Barrell’s Cross Kinsale. Both these events received much positive coverage in overseas publications as well as in Ireland.
The harvest working day now features working areas with continuous activity. Harvesters, reaper and binders and every sort of machinery associated with the harvest past and present can be seen working throughout the day.
Tilling is also represented with a ploughed field filled with vintage machinery turning the soil and planting crops.
Many horse operated machines will be operating on the day. Horses will be ploughing, harrowing, cutting corn, threshing and drawing cartloads of sheaves.
Also on site will be a picnic area surrounded by food outlets showcasing some of our unique West Cork products. Last year’s participants included Clonakilty black puddings, Barracuda BBQ and Clona Dairies.
Of course the event will also have a large static display of vintage commercial vehicles, cars and tractors. This section continues to grow each year.
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 ‘Irish guide dogs for the blind ‘. The guide dogs will be attending to meet the public on the day.
The other groups are as follows; Ballinadee Development Assoc. The local Foroige group and Courcey Rovers Ladies football and Camogie Club, .
Bill Chambers P.R.O. De Courcey classic and Vintage club.
Contact
Chairman: John O Neill 087 266 7296
Secretary: John Quinn 086 8162529
De Courcey Harvest Day Raffle Launch
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. 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. 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. Pic Donie Hurley
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.
De Courcey Harvest Day 2013 – 100 years of Claas
With well over three thousand people of all ages in attendance, this year’s harvest day was the biggest yet to be hosted by De Courcey classic and vintage Club with the assistance of our sponsor Claas farm machinery who are celebrating 100 years in business.
Our charities this year;
The Children’s leukaemia unit Mercy Hospital, The local Friendship Club.
Old Head Tower restoration fund, Kilmacsimon community and amenity centre.
The event featured three separate areas of winter barley being cut in turn by a variety of combines, reaper and binders and horse drawn equipment.
A tillage area, being worked with vintage farm machinery.
Static displays of cars, motorbikes, tractors, commercial vehicles.
Working stationery engine display.
The three harvest areas;
Claas machines. 1950,s trailed combines, the first self-propelled models, machines from the 60’s 70’s and up to 2012 models on tracks. 15 Claas machines from all over the country attended from even as far away as Ballymena, Co Antrim.
Non Claas machines. Trailed Danias , Massey Fergusons, a Dronningborg and Claysons. Approx 10 machines in this area.
Pre combine harvester harvesting technology. Reaper and binder, Horse drawn mowing machine, Milling and threshing by steam engine and 102 year old Clayton Shuttleworth threshing machine.
Other attractions included hand milling demonstration by Raymond White of Ballinspittle. Large display of farm models. BBQ by Barracuda. Traditional music and set dancing.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was an auction of a number of collectors’ items. Available were two Claas Lexion combine harvester models specially commissioned for the day and a special book signed by Helmut Claas, the man responsible for growing Claas from the small family business in the 1940’s to the multi-national that it is today.
The models both made several hundred euros but the book went for several thousand.
The Club was delighted to have the C.E.O. of Claas UK and Ireland Mr Trevor Tyrrell at the event to perform the official opening. The Club would like to thank the many, many people who worked so hard to make this memorable event possible.