A female-only tractor run is set to be the highlight of the Ballymartin Cross Roads Vintage Club's event on the weekend of the longest day, the summer solstice.

The event in Ballyouskill on the Kilkenny/Laois border will kick off on Saturday, June 20 with the All-Ireland female-only tractor run.

It is open to tractors of all ages with a preference for vintage machines.

This is the first of its kind and is very symbolic this year as 2026 was declared by the United Nations as International Year of the Female Farmer, the organisers said.

Registration for the run is at 4:00pm on Saturday in Ballyouskill, with departure at 5:00pm.

After the run there will be live music by Knots Down and Out in the Wheel Inn, Ballyouskill.

On Sunday, June 21 - the summer solstice, and longest daylight day - there will be a pre-1980 vintage tractor run with registration from 11:00am and departure from Ballyouskill at 12 noon.

Tractor runs

The driving force behind the initiative are Paul Palmer, Freddie Farrell and Gemma Palmer.

According to Farrell, there has been a great response to both events.

He said: "The vintage-only tractor run taking place on Sunday is gaining good momentum as a lot of similar events have been cancelled due to the fuel crisis.

"The ladies run is creating quite a stir as it is a novel idea and in our area there are lots of lady drivers.

The proceeds of the weekend will go to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Breast Cancer Ireland and Teac Tom, the Thomas Hayes Trust.