This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Clonoulty Rossmore light up for Christmas truck and tractor run, which will take place on Saturday, December 12. 

Registration will be from 4.00pm with departure timed for 6.00pm.

The run will go through Clonoulty village, Armayle, Cashel, Boherlahan, Holycross, Bornacrusha and back to Clonoulty.

It will be a particularly special and emotional occasion as the event is being held in memory of Sean Ryan Gilly, a much loved member of the community who tragically died in July.

Founded in 2001, Clonoulty Rossmore Vintage Club has grown from a small group of like-minded vintage enthusiasts into an organisation that has become a force for good in the local community, according to Aishling Mulhall, assistant secretary of the club.

Recognising the generosity and goodwill of the public, the club decided to take the next step by organising a bucket collection, which has since developed into an annual event," she said.

"Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the public and the continued support of the club's annual vintage rallies and fundraising events, Clonoulty Rossmore Vintage Club has been able to donate in excess of €500,000 to South Tipperary Hospice Movement and numerous other local groups and worthy causes, Mulhall added.

The club has always believed in supporting its own community and helping organisations and individuals whenever possible.

Over the years, its fundraising efforts have benefited a wide range of local and national causes, including the Rossmore racquetball youth group in their participation in the world racquetball games, Ballagh social centre towards its initial set-up costs.

The fundraiser has also supported Clonoulty Rossmore GAA, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Order of Malta, Clonoulty Rossmore tidy villages and Cork University Hospital.

In addition to this the club has donated animals through Bóthar, sponsored local students undertaking missionary work abroad and supported many other deserving causes.

In more recent years, the club has come up with new and creative ways of bringing the community together.

A traditional wake hosted by the club proved a great success, while a live Christmas crib at Simon's Bar in Clonoulty raised funds for the local playground group and other community organisations.

These events coincided with the club’s Light up for Christmas truck and tractor run, which has become an eagerly awaited annual occasion for families and vintage enthusiasts throughout the area.

During the Covid-19 lockdown when traditional fundraising events were no longer possible, the club refused to let circumstances get in the way. In true Clonoulty Rossmore style, the idea of a ‘virtual home run’ was born. 

Adults took to pedal bikes dressed as tractors, farmers completed two kilometre tractor runs along local roads, and children created their own runs using farm toys.

The initiative was a huge success, raising €10,000 in 2020 and demonstrating the determination, humour and community spirit that have always been at the heart of the club.

The tractor runs have continued to be an annual feature, bringing people together and providing opportunities to support those in need.

The late Sean Ryan Gilly was a founding member of the Clonoulty Rossmore Light up for Christmas run and played a key part in creating an event that has since become so important to the community. "He was a true gentleman whose kindness, friendship and contribution will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him," the assistant secretary said.

Organised by Clonoulty Rossmore Vintage Club, the Sean Ryan Gilly memorial run aims to be more than just a fundraising event. "It is an opportunity for the community to come together, honour Sean's memory and show support for the family he loved so dearly," Mulhall said.

All funds raised from the Sean Ryan Gilly memorial run will go directly towards supporting his partner and children during this  difficult time.

"While no amount of money can take away the pain of losing Sean or ease the heartbreak his family are experiencing, the club hopes that by coming together as a community, it can offer some practical support and remind his family that they are not alone," said Mulhall.

"Sean meant so much to so many people, and this memorial run is a small way of honouring the man he was, celebrating the part he played in our community and giving something back to the family he loved so dearly," she said.

Clonoulty Rossmore Vintage Club is appealing to people to come out, support the run and help make it a fitting tribute to Sean Ryan Gilly. "Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference to his family.

"As the club reflects on more than two decades of fundraising, friendship and community spirit, this year's event serves as a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together for a good cause," said Mulhall.

From the early days in 2001 to raising hundreds of thousands of euro for worthy causes, the club's greatest achievement has always been the generosity of its members and the support of the wider community

"This year that generosity has a very special purpose: remembering a friend, supporting a family and ensuring Sean's memory remains forever part of Clonoulty Rossmore," she said.

Also on December 12, the club will hold a Christmas market in Clonoulty village, with music and an auction that night, all in conjuction with the memorial run for Sean. "We encourage everyone to get the fairy lights out and make this run really special for Sean's partner Marie and his three beautiful children, Isabelle, Tommy and Danny, the club assistant secretary said.