The annual Kilkenny College Transition Year Tractor Run rolled back into Kilkenny College last Thursday evening. Following a two year absence due to Covid, it was a welcome site on campus. While there had been two virtual runs in 2020 and 2021,the sights and sounds were back to normal.  This yearly fundraiser was organised by a small but hard working TY group headed up by Claudia Gill. The nominated charity was LauraLynn Children's Hospice

Speaking at the conclusion of the run ,TY’s Claudia Gill  said; “This would not have been possible without help from many people. JVW Transport have been very good to us for the last 10 years allowing us to gather safely and depart from their yard. Kilkenny Gardaí Community Policing Unit have again supported us. I like to thank  Garda Aidan Fitzpatrick and Garda Andrew Neill for their help. Mr Denis McEvoy of Volvo McCarthy Commercials has always been on standby in the event of a breakdown but thankfully again we did not need him. It is re-assuring to know that he is there if needed”.

The 49 tractors included a TY restored 1982 Deutz .The 16km run came in the Carlow Road from Gowran along the hard shoulder before turning right down the Ring Road. It was a short run along the Castlecomer Road before a noisy reception awaited the drivers in Kilkenny College. As well as the 450 boarders who were on hand, a large number of day pupils and members of the school community turned out to welcome the drivers back to school.

The Hegarty Transition Year Tractor Run Cup was awarded to Sam Massey of Form 6. Sam was joined on the evening by his parents. The judges were William Hutchinson, Bryan Harris Robin Wallace and Bryan Daniels who all have extensive agricultural experience and are past pupils of the College. The girls and boys raised €6300 for LauraLynn Children's Hospice

Thanks to all who supported.