The First Annual Noel Gray Tractor Run took place on 14th April 2024. Following the untimely death of Noel Gray in 2019 his friends in the Drumlish & Ballinamuck Vintage Club came together to organise an annual tractor run in his name.
GROWING UP IN FARNAUGHT
Growing up on the family farm in Farnaught, Mohill County Leitrim with his parents Christy and Betty and his brothers Ciaran and Mel there were many opportunities for Noel as a boy to learn about mechanics.
His brother Mel recalls that from the age of fourteen Noel was to be found in a shed on the farm dismantling Ferguson TVO’s (Tractor Vaporising Oil) and diesel 20 and learning his mechanical skills.
As a young man Noel was able to turn his hand to many skills and was also an accomplished plasterer and builder. In the 1990s building work brought him to England and for a time to America before returning to Ireland.
Mel recalls that Noel was “very mechanically minded” and could fix almost anything. While he did work on cars his real passion was tractors and he especially loved everything about Zetor tractors.
ZETOR TRACTORS
From speaking with Mel we heard that his favourite Zetor was the 3511 and Noel would spend all his time buying and selling tractors that he had dismantled and put back together.
Noel was widely known as a tractor expert and his mechanical knowledge was in constant demand.
THE TRACTOR RUN
In early 2024 the club Organising Committee set to work planning a route and organising the post-run meal, the road marshals and all the other large and small details that goes into a tractor run.
THE ROUTE TAKEN
On Sunday 14th April forty-four tractors, seven cars and two motorbikes gathered at Foxes pub, Tooman.
After refreshments the convoy led by the tractors set out on the Drumlish Road before turning left and passing the Lough Rynn Estate Dispensary and lime kiln.
The convoy paused in a mark of respect at Noel’s house before continuing on through Farnaught and into Gortletteragh and passing St Mary’s Church.
Turning left at the gate lodge on Errew Drive and entering the Lough Rynn Estate the convoy passed by Lough Rynn Castle and gardens.
The long line of tractors followed by the cars made for a very dramatic sight as they drove down Rynn Avenue before turning on the main road and into the town of Mohill.
From Mohill, with the tractors leading the way the convoy passed by the town’s GAA pitch and St Joseph’s Church, Clonturk before arriving at the Copper Still pub in Dromod where there was a short stop for refreshments.
Back on the road again the convoy headed back in the direction of Tooman and crossing over the N4 main road and into the townland of Meelragh. Passing local landmark, the former McHugh’s Shop the convoy entered the townland of Clooncarreen, crossed the river Rynn at Annaghveagh bridge and after a 28 km round trip drove up the hill and back to our starting point at Foxs of Tooman where we were welcomed by Jimmy Fox and his staff.
FOXES PUB
Refreshments and dinner were served in the lounge and John McCabe welcomed everyone and spoke on behalf of the Organising Committee. In turn, Noel’s brother Mel thanked the organisers.
All monies raised on the day went to the Irish Heart Foundation.
We look forward to the second Noel Gray Annual Tractor Run in April 2025.
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