Cullen serves up a rare vintage
More photos:
Thursday July 29 2010
BLESSED with glorious July sunshine, the 12th annual Cullen old time threshing and vintage rally was, as usual, a resounding success. The event is staged each year to fundraise for children and adults with special needs from Duhallow, and in recent years the committee has also been instrumental in providing assistance to groups from further afield.
The money collected last year was donated to the Cope foundation houses in Cork, Mallow, and Kanturk. Marion House and the Fr. Corridon Centre in Rathmore also benefited, along with a special unit in Killarney. At Christmas time each year, the committee also host a party for people with special needs at the local community centre in Cullen.
Secretary Moira O Keeffe, praised the public for their continued support of the harvest day, and this year was no exception with a large crowd enjoying the various events throughout the day.
Proceedings began with a rendition of traditional Irish airs from the Cullen Pipe Band, led by Con Houlihan.
It was vintage heaven for lovers of old cars, tractors, trucks, and motorbikes, with models dating from as far back as the 1920s on display. The proud owners of these many and varied vehicles came from all over Cork, Kerry, and Limerick. The vintage event which is co-ordinated by Geff O Sullivan, is gaining momentum each year, with an unprecedented amount of tractors in particular on display last Sunday. The late John O'Sullivan from Mallow, who was chairman of the Irish Vintage Engine and Tractor Association, and who passed away recently, was sadly missed by all his friends and colleagues at this year's show.
Children and adults alike were fascinated by the thresher. Owned by PJ Murphy, Banteer, the 42" Garvie was in perfect working order and was driven by a Fordson Major TVO owned by Pat O'Keeffe, Cullen. In the present era of space age technology, it was a real treat to step briefly into a bygone age and see how this type of work was done in times past.
There was great interest in the sheepdog demonstration, while the children's sports went down a treat, with lots of competitions and games for the many families who were enjoying the fun and sunshine.
Secretary Moira O'Keeffe and Chairperson Dr. Pat Casey thank their fellow committee members, those who helped on the day, their many sponsors, and members of the public who supported the event.
With planning permission granted for the building of a residential centre in the village, the hardworking committee of Cullen and district special needs association can be justifiably proud of their extremely successful threshing and vintage rally.
- SHEILA FITZGERALD
