John Rodgers, 89, will lead vintage tractor club onto Arranmore Island
The vintage tractor run will be dedicated to the late Philie Joe Rodgers
An 89-year-old man who will lead the Castlepollard Vintage Tractor Club onto Arranmore Island this Easter weekend wishes to dedicate the special tractor run to his cousin Philie Joe Rodgers.
Iniskerragh-native, John Rodgers, will lead the tractor run with his T20 Ferguson Grey Diesel tractor which he has owned for 69 years.
The Castlepollard Vintage Tractor Club will travel onto Arranmore Island as part of their annual trip around Ireland this Easter Sunday. Luke O’Reilly will bring his Cavan and Longford friends while Declan Moran will lead the Westmeath and Meath contingent on their very special tenth tractor run around the country. The tractor drivers are expected to meet on Good Friday and leave on their adventure early on Saturday morning.
“This year is a new venture, we are taking our tractors over water onto a beautiful island on the Donegal coast. We have been made to feel very welcome by the local people,” they said.
The tractor drivers head across to the island, by ferry, on Easter Sunday. The drivers will leave the Holiday village in Arranmore around 1pm, go towards Aphort and enjoy a break at the island lighthouse.
Mr Rodgers will tell the tractor enthusiasts about his late cousin Philie Joe Rodgers who was born in Inniskerragh Island - the son of Joe and Hannagh Rodgers.
“Philie went off to work in Scotland and was so proud when he bought his Fordson Major tractor after returning home from working in Scotland. He had planned to work with his tractor on Arranmore Island, but this was not to be - he sadly passed away six months later at the young age of 26 following a short illness. Philie’s tractor passed onto his father Joe who had never driven a tractor in his life, Jimmy O’Donnell, a close family neighbour and friend taught Joe to drive the tractor,” John said.
Everyone is welcome to join the tractor drivers on Sunday. Extra ferries are expected to run. People are being asked to book in advance to secure a place for their tractor.