It’s all systems go for the 22nd Laois Vintage Run from Treacy’s Pub at The Heath on Saturday and good weather is even promised.
Laois Vintage Limited has organised 21 Vintage Road Runs since first getting going in 1996 and have raised over €860,000 in that time for Laois Hospice.
This year’s vintage run will start at 10am on Saturday, August 19 with the cars heading to Castlecomer where they will visit the Castlecomer Discovery Park and Coal Mining Museum while the tractors will go on a more leisurely spin to Ballyfin, via Trumera, and will stop off in the Deadman’s Inn in Ballyfin for refreshments.
All vehicles will return to Treacy’s between 3pm and 4pm for a meal and presentation of commemorative plaque.
“Everything is ready to go,” said Laois Vintage chairman Ger Whelan.
He expects around 35 vintage tractors to take part and around the same amount of vintage cars.
“It is a fun day, and is always enjoyable,” he said.
The local organisers aim to raise funds for Laois Hospice, but without putting too much pressure on people.
“Everything we raise is kept in the county of Laois. If every county does the same then we will all do well,” he said.
It’s fitting that the event starts and ends in Treacy’s in The Heath, as that’s where it all began when Mervyn Graham and Chris Ryan were chatting over a pint on their way home from a funeral.
With the help of proprietor Tommy Treacy, they got it going.
Laois Hospice was the chosen charity then, and has been ever since.
In over 20 years, they have continuously supported Laois Hospice during boom years and recessionary times, raising on average over €30,000 each year.
Prior to the economic crash, in 2007 they managed to raise €69,000 for that year’s event.
They are now gearing up to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
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