Sunday August 27th, 2017
Community spirit makes Mid Kerry Vintage Rally a huge success
“YOU just can’t run a Rally like this without the help of people,” said Denis Tangney who is looking forward to another Mid Kerry Vintage Rally and a chance to raise vital funds for cancer support services in Kerry. Ever since Denis came up with the idea of staging a vintage Rally, the people of Castlemaine let it be known they were behind him from the start.
It can be difficult with so many charity groups vying for funds to keep returning to the same well. But thanks to a deep sense of community spirit - and an even deeper sense of good will - the Mid Kerry Vintage Rally has grown from one man’s humble ambition into a community event.
“I suppose in a way the vintage Rally is a bit like our Puck Fair or Rose of Tralee in that it creates a great local atmosphere among people. People meet at the Rally who might not have met one another since last year’s Rally. We have visitors from all over Kerry and Munster that come to Castlemaine, some of whom might not come to Castlemaine were it not for the Rally, which can only be a good thing for everyone involved,” Denis explained.
Once Denis, Mike McKenna and Brendan Dennehy get together to start organising the rally, the people of Castlemaine aren’t too far behind them volunteering for such roles as stewards and caterers – without whose help things wouldn’t function quite as well. Denis is also putting the call out there for more young people to get involved as they might help bring some new ideas as to how the Rally can evolve in the future. Local businesses also play a huge part helping with sponsorship, supplying food and prizes.
“This support is not only important to the Rally, it’s vital. We can’t thank people and businesses enough for their support. A big thank you also to Ken O’Neill and Geaney’s Oils for the use of their yards,” Denis added.