News
Killarney show debut for rare German tractor
RARE: Brendan Griffin pictured with his rare 1955 Hanomag tractor which will go on display at the Killarney Valley Vintage and Classic Club's annual show at Killarney Racecourse next month. Photo: Sean Moriarty
By Sean Moriarty
A rare 1955 Hanomag tractor will go on display at the Killarney Valley Vintage and Classic Club’s annual show at Killarney Racecourse next month.
The German manufactured tractor is powered by an unusual two-stroke diesel engine, fitted with off-set steering to allow driver view ploughed furrows from overhead, and an internal mid-mounted mowing bar for cutting hay and grass – all features that put the tractor well ahead of its time 65 years ago.
Owned by local man Brendan Griffin, the tractor has never before been seen on public display in Ireland.
Mr Griffin, a life-long fan of farm machinery and implements enthusiast, bought the tractor in Germany around 11 years ago.
“I was at a rally in Germany a few years ago, I saw the tractor for sale, I liked it so much I just bought it,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “Germany is a collector’s dream. Between 1945 and 1970 there were 94 different manufacturers. In recent years the German Government has stopped the export of vintage tractors as they say it is part of their heritage, so I am very lucky to own such a machine.”
The Hanomag manufacturing firm first came to prominence before World War One when it started manufacturing steam engines.
In 1912, Hanomag started producing ploughs before adding passenger cars, tractors, crawler tractors and trucks to its series in 1924.
In 1971, the firm concentrated on construction equipment. But before that more than 250,000 machines left the factory halls in Hanover.
The brand is owned by Komatsu since 1989, Massey Ferguson owned it for a spell in the 1970s and Daimler-Benz bought out its truck division around the same time.
Local fans will get the chance to see the rare 1955 Hanomag at the annual vintage show on July 22. Brendan will offer visiting fans a chance to learn about the tractor as he will give an in-depth talk on the machine at the show at 3pm.
Staff and customers at Muckross Garden Centre have raised a total of €12,500 for the Kerry Cancer Support Group through donations made at their miniature Christmas village.
The popular festive display, located in the Muckross Garden Restaurant, drew significant crowds and contributions over Christmas.
The Kerry Cancer Support Group, established in 2007, provides a vital service through its Health Link Transport. Since 2010, the charity has offered free transport to cancer patients across Kerry, West Cork, and West Limerick, ensuring they can attend essential treatment at hospitals in Cork and Limerick.
The donation will go directly towards maintaining these transport services, which rely heavily on community fundraising to remain free for service users.
Lions Club to host scrap metal collection for CUH Children’s Cancer Unit
Killarney Lions Club has issued a reminder that its 2026 scrap metal collection takes place this Saturday, March 28, at Killarney Racecourse.
Organised in partnership with KWD Recycling, the event will raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Unit at Cork University Hospital (CUH).
The collection will run from 9am to 4pm. Members of the public are encouraged to donate non-ferrous scrap metals, including aluminium, copper, brass, zinc, and stainless steel. Organisers have noted that “white goods” such as fridges, cookers, and washing machines cannot be accepted at this event.
“Our scrap collection went really well last year, so we’re looking forward to as many people as possible making a donation again this year,” said Killarney Lions Club President, Jason Higgins.
All proceeds from the recycled metal will go towards improving facilities for families using the essential services at the CUH Children’s Cancer Unit. The Killarney Lions Club continues to support various local groups and individuals through such fundraising efforts and voluntary activities.
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