Revving up for the journey of a lifetime, Co. Wicklow farmer Michael Keegan will take to the wheel of his vintage tractor to drive between Mizen Head and Malin Head.

Starting on Friday, August 21 at 2:00pm, Keegan's efforts are in aid of suicide prevention charities 3TS and Pieta.

Keegan will be joined by Galway man and classic tractor enthusiast Tony Killarney, co-founder of the Miles of Hope initiative, who will drive a 1971 Chevy pick-up as a support vehicle along the route. 

Beginning at Mizen Head, Keegan will complete the near 700km journey aboard a Deutz D40L tractor.

His grandfather Charlie Keegan drove the tractor when he won the World Ploughing Championships in 1964 in Austria, the first world ploughing title ever won by the Republic of Ireland.

With a planned route running through many small towns and villages, Keegan hopes to raise as much awareness and funds for suicide prevention along the way. 

He explained: “Sadly, suicide continues to be a tragedy that is all too common in rural farming communities. 

Keegan said the pair will be encouraging people to "take the first step and talk to someone if they are feeling suicidal", highlighting the "valuable help" that exists for everyone through Pieta and the practical training and resources available through 3Ts.

"I also believe that help starts in the community and my hope is that this activity encourages everyone to be open to the idea of speaking about suicide if they’re in trouble or to find out more about how they can be the person that someone can turn to in a crisis.

"I’m looking forward to meeting lots of people as we spread our message of help and hope whilst showcasing the Deutz among the many tractor enthusiasts and the general public along the way," Keegan said.  

He explained that his family received "a huge amount of help" to restore the tractor back in 2014 to mark the 50-year anniversary of his grandfather’s victory in 1964.

"Many people who didn’t even know me, but loved the story, gave time and money," he said.

"This is a special tractor with a lot of history and I think it is only fitting for it to be part of something that gives back to the community that so generously helped with its restoration. 

"I believe that this journey will honour my grandfather Charlie’s great work, as he was the first person to bring home a world title in farming for Ireland.”

Support

Pieta will be reinforcing the help that is available nationwide 24/7 via its Freefone crisis helpline 1800 247 247 or by texting HELP to 51444 where immediate support is available from qualified therapists.

They are available by phone and also provide in-person counselling to those who need help. 

3TS was founded to raise awareness of suicide, providing practical information and resources for common mental health issues.

The charity funds valuable research including a recent study that has helped inform the national clinical care programme for self-harm.

3TS deliver safeTALK suicide alertness training free to interested groups. It campaigns for improved crisis supports, including the need for dedicated mental health and suicide crisis centres as an alternative to A&E for people in crisis.

Itinerary

The outline itinerary for August 21: Leg 1/Day 1: Planned start time 2:00p.m is: Mizen Head to Goleen; Schull; Ballydehob; Bantry; Glengarriff; Kenmare; Moll’s Gap; and Muckross House; Killarney.

Overnight: Killarney: Leg 2/Day 2: 08:30a.m start: Killarney to Farranfore; Tralee; Listowel; Tarbert; Killimer (ferry); Kilrush; Kilkee; Doonbeg and Miltown Malbay.

Overnight: Miltown Malbay: Leg 3/Day 3: 08:30a.m start: Miltown Malbay to Ennistymon; Lisdoonvarna; Clarinbridge; Athenry and Monivea.

Overnight: Monivea: Leg 4/Day 4: 08:30a.m start: Monivea to Mountbellew; Roscommon; Tulsk; Elphin; Carrick-on-Shannon and Leitrim village.

Overnight: Leitrim village: Leg 5/Day 5: 08:30a.m start: Leitrim Village to Drumshanbo; Drumkeeran; Manorhamilton; Kinlough; Bundoran; Ballyshannon; Donegal town and Ballybofey.

Overnight: Ballybofey: Leg 6/Day 6: 8:30a.m start: Ballybofey to Letterkenny; Newtowncunningham; Burnfoot; Fahan; Buncrana; Carndonagh and Malin Head.