There will be many poignant moments as the staff at Glenveagh National Park host the Victor Gibson memorial tractor run this Sunday, September 8.
The event will mark one year since the sudden death of Victor Gibson from Knocknamona Park, Letterkenny, a much loved colleague and friend.
“He worked here for 46 years, initially as a general operative and then advancing to a mechanic role,” said Cathal Gallagher, friend and colleague.
“He was a very smart man, and if there were any IT issues or technical problems, he was the go-to guy.
“So I was thinking at the start of the year that an event would have to be organised to remember him by. I work in the building maintenance section here in the park and I floated the idea of a tractor run and got the green light.
“The committee was set up from a few different sections to organise the day and Victor’s daughter, Elizabeth, currently works here in accounts and is busy helping out too,” he added.
Before Victor’s passing, he was involved in the restoration of an old 135 Massey Ferguson, which was the first tractor in Glenveagh park, bought by the previous owner, Henry McIlhinney, in the 1960s.
Victor twice worked on reconditioning the tractor. It will lead the convoy of machinery through the designated route.
The event will leave from the visitor centre car park at 2:00p.m and will complete a loop of Gartan via the spectacular Lough Inshagh trail.
Registration is from 12:00p.m on the day and the cost is €20 per tractor, which includes light refreshments from the Birch Tree restaurant at the visitor centre. Live music and a barbeque will add to the atmosphere.
There will also be a raffle, with prizes donated from local businesses. All tractor owners and enthusiasts are welcome to attend.
The organisers are delighted to be hosting the tractor run in association with the Irish Heart Foundation and all proceeds from the day will go towards this worthy cause.
For more information contact (087) 933 5127.