Birr comes alive with colour for 58th Vintage Week Parade

THE streets of Birr came alive with colour, energy and fun on Sunday afternoon when the town's 58th Vintage Parade was held.

This was yet another excellent festival parade in the town which enjoyed a fantastic turnout of spectators, in spite of the rain, and a large number of entries.

The event was something of a time machine as we watched dozens of cars and tractors all harking back to different decades of the 20th Century.

The Parade committee, ably led by Community Chair Amy Harvey, masterminded things very efficiently and the consensus among many of the crowd that I subsequently chatted to was overwhelmingly positive.

Emma Nee Haslam once again did a great job as the MC. She told us that the festival has been going for 58 years, and going strong, because the link between the week and the community is unbreakable. The people of Birr love Vintage Week and it would be unthinkable for them for it not to go ahead.

Emma also pointed out that sadly there would be no steam engine in this year's Parade, for the first time in the event's history. This was because the engine had recently broken down and the spare part hadn't arrived yet. Hopefully, she said, it would make a welcome return in next year's Parade.

She pointed out that running a festival of this size is no easy task and she warmly praised Caroline Conway, Amy Harvey and the festival committee. She praised Birr Tidy Towns for being the driving force behind this year's Car Treasure Hunt and she remembered one of the festival's founding members Frank McNamara who passed away earlier this year.

Denis Tierney, President of Birr Rugby Club, officially opened the festival. In an excellent speech Denis welcomed all. “Whether you are a lifelong resident of Birr, someone returning home for the week, or a visitor experiencing Vintage Week for the first time, we are delighted to have you with us. For almost six decades, Vintage Week has held a special place in the heart of this town. What began in 1968 as a celebration of Birr's unique Georgian heritage has grown into one of Ireland's longest-running community festivals. It continues to bring people together to celebrate our history, culture and community spirit.”

Denis said the week had also been a huge part of his life and his family's life. His mother was one of the driving forces behind the early fundraising efforts, “and I grew up seeing first-hand the dedication and enthusiasm that helped make this festival what it is today. Later, I had the privilege of serving on the Vintage Week Committee for more than ten years. Looking back, I can honestly say it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Working alongside dedicated volunteers, organising events and watching the town come alive every August created friendships and memories that have lasted a lifetime. That experience is why I always encourage people to get involved. Vintage Week succeeds because local people step forward and play their part. The committee, volunteers, sponsors and supporters invest countless hours throughout the year to make this week possible. Their commitment creates something that benefits the entire community, and they deserve our sincere thanks and appreciation.”

He said the volunteers who make the festival possible work quietly behind the scenes for months before the festival begins. They organise events, co-ordinate activities, raise funds, welcome visitors and ensure everything runs smoothly throughout the week. They are filled with commitment, generosity and community spirit.

He said Vintage Week is a wonderful festival which brings generations together – children, parents, grandparents, neighbours, clubs, businesses and visitors. Locals feel a deep sense of pride with the town looking its best and they love welcoming visitors from near and far.

Denis also spoke about Birr Rugby Club. He said that like Vintage Week the rugby club is part of the fabric of Birr life, bringing people together through sport, friendship and community involvement. The club was originally established as a senior men's club, but today it provides Rugby for all ages, from their minis right throughout the senior women's and men's teams. The club has grown significantly over the years and it plays an important role in the sporting and social life of the community.

“We have enjoyed tremendous success at youth level. Our boys' and girls' teams have competed against and overcome some of the biggest clubs in Leinster. These young players have represented their club with distinction and have gone on to earn provincial recognition, demonstrating the quality of rugby being developed here in Birr. Many players who began their rugby journey in Birr have gone on to achieve great success. Names such as Shane Delahunt, Clodagh Hanniffy, Jack Regan, Ronan Loughnane and Peter Dooley have provided inspiration for younger generations and have shown what can be achieved through commitment, hard work and dedication. This year brought another historic moment for the club. Michael Milne became the first player from Birr Rugby Club to represent Ireland at senior international level when he made his debut against France in the Six Nations Championship. As if that achievement was not memorable enough, he marked the occasion by scoring his first international try in Paris on his 27th birthday.”

Denis said the senior women's team has also enjoyed great success, last year securing promotion, and completing their season by reaching the Paul Cusack Plate Final in Portlaoise.

He said that on Thursday evening August 6th the club looks forward to welcoming the community once again to the festival's Fireworks Night, to be held on the pitch behind Applegreen.

He strongly urged everyone to support their local clubs and community organisations. “Whether you volunteer, participate, sponsor an event or cheer from the sidelines, every contribution matters.

“When we look around Birr today, we see a town with a proud history, a strong sense of community and a bright future. Vintage Week reflects all of those qualities. It celebrates where we have come from, brings us together in the present and creates memories that stay with us long after the week has ended.”

A Colour Party of the local FCA then passed the viewing stand and Éabha McDowall sang a fine rendition of the National Anthem.

There were a huge number of entrants in this excellent parade, too many to mention. Here are a few of them: Pat Cleary driving a 1916 army truck (formerly owned by the late Dan Coolahan who entered vintage cars into the Parade for many years); the Thomas McDonagh Band from Templemore; Seán Bradley driving a 1979 Chevrolet Corvette; Padraig O'Toole driving a 1970 Buick Skylark; Seán Guilfoyle driving a 1947 Daimler; Fred Boulton in a 1979 Alfa Romeo Spider; Michael Hogan in a 1957 Austin A35 (with only 63,000 miles on the clock); Padraig McIntyre in a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle; Stephen Garahy driving a 1960 Morris Minor convertible (a petrol blue colour); Conor McGee from Longford and his “Crazy Bike Gang” which featured several very colourful pedal bikes; several children (including Sorcha, Fia, Rua, Peggy) in the “Extremely Serious Vintage Club” (only formed that morning!); the Birr Palestine Solidarity Group, commemorating 1030 days of the siege of Gaza; the Yarn Bombers (lots of wool, lots of colour); Birr Rugby Football Club; Birr Vintage Cycling Enthusiasts (featuring several high nellies - “the high nellie was once part of the undisputed heart of life in rural Ireland”); the Crumlin Band (playing YMCA - “I think we all know the actions for this one, don't we?!” exclaimed the MC); Terry Dunne in his 1956 Ferguson Tractor; the Rashina Vintage Club with their tractors (they are holding a Threshing & Working Field Day in Doon on Sunday September 6th); Daniel O'Neill in his 1958 Fordson diesel tractor; Peter Bennett, Gerry Slevin, Paddy McIntyre and John Ryan in their vintage tractors (there were about 30 vintage tractors in total in the Parade); Birr Wilmer Tennis Club (publicising their Vintage Tennis Wooden Racket Tournament in their club at 7pm on Friday August 7th); Hugo Loonam driving a 1972 Citroen DS; Michael O'Sullivan driving an Austin; Eugene King in a 1952 Hillman Minx convertible; Pat Spain in a 1956 Ford Prefect (this was a very popular car in the 1950s; Pat's car is in good condition); the Camcor Riders (the well known motor bikers who have held many charity rides); and two Fire Engines being driven by members of the Birr Fire and Rescue Service.

There were a number of prize winners for their entries in the Parade. Hugo Loonam and his Citroen DS won the Best Car category. Wilmer Tennis Club won the Best Sports Group category.

Many shopkeepers this year decorated their windows with vintage items. There was a prize for the best Vintage Shop Window. This was won by Butler's Pharmacy. 2nd in the windows competition was Hassetts Euronics; 3rd was Barber’s.