Tractor owned by first Irish man to win World Ploughing Championships to be restored

Charabanc Social Club shared the news earlier this week, having recently visited the Coolakay Agricultural Heritage Centre near Enniskerry for a guided tour of the museum by Robert Roe.

A collection of farm implements and machinery dating back to the early 1700’s are on display, items which demonstrate the evolution of the typical Irish farmers working way of life, from the use of sickles and scythes for harvesting the corn, the introduction of horse drawn reaping machines at the turn of the century, followed by binding machines from the 1940’s preceding today’s huge combine harvesters.

The display includes a collection of smaller implements used on the farm too, like the earliest up to modern day churns, weighing scales, one pair dated 1794, a range of farm kitchen implements also.

Robert regaled the visitors with the story of Charlie Keegan, the first Irish Man to win the World Ploughing Championships in 1964. There was a large welcome party to meet him at Dublin Airport as he carried the Golden Plough trophy to huge applause to the waiting motorcade, which escorted him back to Enniskerry.

A lifelong friend of Charlie’s, Harry Williams who remembers the occasion well, posed with a photo with Robert Roe and Rev Cathy Hallissey, holding a photo of Charlie aboard his tractor.

Michael Keegan, a grandson of Charlie’s, has reportedly done a wonderful job restoring the Deutz tractor and we are hoping he will have it on display at the Powerscourt Car Show on May 25, 2025.

After such an informative trip to Coolakay, Charabanc Social Club is now taking a summer break, returning in September.