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Vintage Club clinches second place in national tractor restoration final

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The Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club secured second place and a €2,000 prize at the national Ferguson 20 restoration final in Wexford last weekend.

The prestigious showcase, organised by AXA and the Irish Vintage Society CLG, took place in Clohamon, Co. Wexford.

The initiative challenged heritage enthusiasts from all over the country to return a classic Grey Ferguson 20 tractor to its original state.

While Wexford's own Clonroche/Poulpeasty Vintage Club walked away with the top prize of €5,000, the Killarney team’s outstanding craftsmanship earned them the runner-up spot on the podium.

The local entry is a diesel-powered Ferguson TEF 20 owned by John Howard, whose father originally bought the vehicle in the mid-1960s.

"It's a Ferguson TEF 20 diesel, it was the first tractor that came to the farm, and when it came it did all sorts of work," Mr Howard said. "It was in kind-of-poor repair because it had been used down through the years".

Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club Chairman Tom Leslie explained that the vehicle was running before the project began, but required intensive restoration to meet competitive standards.

"The engine was quite good in it, but the bodywork needed a lot of attention," Mr Leslie said. "It all needed a good tidy-up, and then of course the final finish was key here to this competition".

The restoration was aided by spare components Mr Howard had previously kept in storage, with the remainder sourced by club members at various vintage exhibitions across Ireland.
Mr Howard expressed great pride in seeing the finished machine restored to its former glory, noting that the vehicle holds deep "sentimental value to myself and my family".

The award-winning tractor is now set to go on public display across Munster and beyond.
"We're delighted to be on the winning podium with second prize in this competition," Mr Leslie added. "This is going to go to our shows now locally in Kerry and Cork, and we'll also have it at the National Ploughing display for the Irish Vintage stand because we're very proud in the club".

With the national competition wrapped up, Killarney Valley members are already working on their next build, restoring a Ford 7600 imported from France. Once complete, the tractor will be auctioned, with the surplus proceeds going to a local charity.

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Camera Club exhibition opens at Killarney House

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Camera Club exhibition opens at Killarney House



Killarney Camera Club’s 25th anniversary exhibition is open to the public at Killarney House until Sunday, October 4.



Mayor of Killarney Councillor John O’Donoghue officially opened the event, which features a wide range of work from local photographers capturing landscapes, people, and moments from home and abroad.

Speaking at the opening, Mayor O’Donoghue highlighted the rich natural surroundings available to local photographers. “We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world, with dramatic mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, and a vibrant town centre, as well as beaches and open sea just a short distance away,” he said.

In a lighthearted admission, the Mayor admitted to storing hundreds of photos on his phone, adding that seeing the standard of work on display inspired him “to finally print some of my own photographs for posterity.”

The club was founded in 2001 as the Photographic Society of Killarney at the Park Place Hotel before adopting its current name in 2006. Founding member Seamus Long recalled starting with just eight members, contrasting it with today’s membership of over 30 photographers who meet at the ANAM Arts and Cultural Centre.

“There is nothing better than seeing your images in print, mounted and framed and hanging on a wall,” Mr Long said, referencing the club’s shift from traditional darkrooms to modern digital photography.

To mark the anniversary, the club has published a commemorative booklet featuring 25 select images from members past and present. The limited-edition booklet is available at Eason’s and directly from the club.

The exhibition runs daily at Killarney House until October 4. Admission is free and all are welcome.

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Chamber schedules future talks with Minister Foley

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Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has agreed two further meetings for 2027 with Minister Norma Foley following a positive discussion on local infrastructure last week.

Executive committee members met with Minister Foley on Thursday, August 27, to present priority projects affecting Killarney and the wider region.


The discussion focused primarily on securing Urban Regeneration and Development Fund allocations for Killarney town center and advancing plans for the Kerry-Cork economic corridor link.


Minister Foley emphasized the need for local stakeholders, elected representatives, state agencies, and government departments to maintain a unified approach when seeking state backing for strategic regional developments.


Following the discussion, Minister Foley committed to closer communication with the chamber office, alongside two formal follow-up meetings scheduled for 2027 to monitor project progress and address ongoing commercial issues.


Chamber representatives welcomed the commitment to regular dialogue, noting that structured updates will help ensure key local infrastructure projects remain active on the government agenda.


Photo Caption
STRATEGIC TALKS: Members of the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Executive Committee who met with Minister Norma Foley to discuss URDF funding and regional infrastructure links for the town. Photo: Don MacMonagle.

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