Maison Mansfield, Ciaran Nolan, Blake and Blaine Russell
Brittas Tractor Run gets the wheels turning for local centre
“BRITTAS is definitely back!” So says Siobhán Foster, dedicated community volunteer and main organiser of the first annual ‘Brittas Tractor Run,’ which took place in Brittas on Saturday, August 10.
Organised to have some badly needed work done on the Brittas Community Centre, including fixing the roof and turning the space around the centre into a useable play area for the young children of Brittas.
A portion of the proceeds will also go to local primary school St Martin’s as they strive to build a ‘sensory wall’ for the children.
“We feel like we’ve been left behind and forgotten about here.
“We’re constantly trying to get funding for improvements to the centre and community assets, and generally speaking, we’ve been unsuccessful.
“So we decided that organising the run today and doing it ourselves was the way to go,” Siobhán tells me.
At 2.30 on the dot, a convoy of 34 tractors, 5 classic cars and 20 trucks set off along the route planned out by the organisers, with advice from Tallaght Community Garda Division.
Martin Friel in his Massey-Ferguson 35X
The run began down Lisheen Road and took in Manor Kilbride Village, Three Castles and Blessington Lake Bridge, greeted with applause and smiling faces at every turn, before returning to Brittas where the festivities were just getting started.
There was a craft village with twelve stalls, food vendors, children’s games, pony rides and a particularly popular Duck Race in the Camac River.
The prestigious first-ever queen of the Brittas Tractor Run was named as local girl Stacey Murphy.
Brian Finn and family in a Ford Model A
As the day continued, a delighted crowd of about 400 people were entertained by music from ‘The Trad Lads’ at the ‘Gig Rig’ and then Granite in the marquee set up for the day.
DJ Joyce brought proceedings to a close as the day ended.
When all was said and done, a very tired Siobhán was ebullient about the day’s events.
“The whole day was pure magic.
John Eagers with his Model T Ford 1914
“Everything came together perfectly and even the weather behaved itself and we got a scorcher.”
“We’re delighted with all the support we received, not just in Brittas, but all of the surrounding villages.
“It’s been a fabulous day.”
A view notably echoed by lifelong Brittas resident and local taxi driver Buddy Mansfield who said, “I’ve had two great days in Brittas.
“One was the day I was born, the other was today!”
Siobhán has more ideas in the pipeline which we will hear about in due course but for now, the credit goes to Siobhán, her husband Mark, and a dedicated committee consisting of James Davey, Rita Keogh, David Cleary, Susan Mansfield, Amanda Mansfield, Danielle Lawlor, Joanne Davey and Bridget Burnett.
So Brittas is in safe hands.
Expect the Little village to punch above its weight and make many more headlines in the months to come.
