Knockmourne Vintage Run a success
Setting out from Knockmourne on May 15, some 59 cars took part in the Knockmourne Vintage Car and Tractor Run in a bid to raise funds for the church.
Those taking part in the run met in a field, owned by local man Jimmy Mangan, adjacent to the church ahead of the run. From here the cars set out first towards Conna, past the castle and onto Ballynoe, Ballyvolane and Dungourney before stopping for a break and then continuing on to Glengoura, Lacken Cross, Tallow, and finishing back at Knockmourne for a picnic.
Speaking with The Avondhu, Tony Morrissey, chairman of Tallow Vintage Club, who set up the run some years ago with Reverend Walter Hill, noted that the tractors took a different route.
Leaving from Knockmourne, tractors went through Conna, towards Modeligo cross and took the Ballyduff road to Clondulane before returning to Conna.
“It’s a way of raising money for the church. There are a lot of churches that just aren’t as vibrant as they were, and there are less services on in many. We decided to do something about it in Knockmourne to keep it alive,” Mr Morrissey said.
The Knockmourne Vintage Car and Tractor run has been running since 2014 and is organised by Knockmourne Vintage group and Tallow Vintage Club.
Prior to the recent run, a concert was also held on the Saturday night which saw several local performers take to the stage in a bid to raise funds for both the church and the Community Air Ambulance service.
Currently, a raffle is underway with a 1986 Volvo up for grabs, also in aid of the church.
“We had a good run on Sunday. We have a lot of great supporters in the community. The church is short of money at the moment and this is just something to keep it going,” Mr Morrissey added.
Tickets for the raffle were sold at the run, with more to be sold to clubs in the area and online. It is expected that a winner will be drawn for the vintage car raffle in July or August.