Laois macra club holding tug of war to launch Christmas tractor and truck road run

A tug of war competition is heating up in Laois this November, all in aid of charity.

Mountmellick Light-up Tractor and Truck Run will return this December to Laois roads but first it is getting a special launch this November that is an event in itself.

Organised by the award winning Mountmellick Macra club, the festive run is a great charity success each year, drawing crowds to the MDA and along the rural routes to cheer on a huge parade of trucks and tractors decorated in fairy lights.

To launch it, the club is holding a competitive Tug of War in Mountmellick's O'Connell Square, on Saturday night, November 15.

Teams are signing up from as far as Donegal to take part, says Dan McEvoy of Mountmellick Macra.

He spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"There is serious interest. It's a street pull, and people can still join. It will go on for over an hour, with all the teams pulling against each other in a round robin system, until there is one final winner. We will have male, female and mixed teams. The winners will get trophies and medals. It's going to be great fun," he said.

This year all the proceeds of both the tug of war, and the Christmas truck and tractor run, are going to the suicide prevention charity SOSAD Ireland, who have a counselling centre in Laois.

It is no small gesture, as Mountmellick Macra club raised a hefty €20,560 from last year's run for Down Syndrome Ireland's Laois branch. 

Mountmellick Macra present their cheque for €20,560.75 to Down Syndrome Laois.

Spectators are invited to come along, cheer on the teams and join the club members afterwards for some music, refreshments and chats in The Hollow Bar, just off O'Connell Square.

The weigh-in starts at 7pm and the first pull takes place at 7.30pm. The Tug of War is 550kgs plus catch weight. The entry fee is €10 per puller and "every penny goes to SOSAD," says Dan. Enter by contacting him on 085- 2090413.

Eimear Feighery, PRO of Mountmellick Macra spoke about the tractor and truck run.

"SOSAD are another wonderful organisation, providing much needed drop in and counselling services from their base in Shamrock House, Portlaoise.

"Each year we choose a different route, taking in neighbouring villages and towns in the Mountmellick Macra catchment area such as Rosenallis, Clonaslee, Killeigh, Portarlington and Ballybrittas. We have been working on this year’s run for the past few months and are really looking forward to it. 

"Our Truck and Tractor Run Raffle also went live this week with a top prize of €1000 cash, €500 for second place, and €100 for prizes three to seven. All money raised from the raffle, launch night, and the run itself will go entirely to SOSAD Laois.

"I’d like to thank everyone who has come out and supported the run over the years. Those who take great time and effort to decorate their tractors and trucks with Christmas lights and tinsel, those who buy raffle tickets, those who donate so generously, and everyone who turns out on the night to enjoy the spectacle. We are one of the very few light up runs that take place at night, which really adds to the atmosphere.

"We are really looking forward to this year’s event. It takes months of planning and organising, but it is such a great way to give back to the community, both in terms of the enjoyment it brings to people and the money raised for a brilliant cause," Eimear said.

Enter the raffle here.

The club has had a great year, making their own video to show the extent of their activities and inviting new members.

Member Joanne Teehan recently won the President's Medal. in the Macra National Leadership Awards. The club has also won Leinster Club of the Year.

The club has also successfully reroofed their community hall, which reopened on October 1. The full cost of €185,000 is mostly met with fundraisers and grants but donations are still welcome to help pay off the full cost. The old leaky roof was made of asbestos.

See Mountmellick Macra's Facebook page here.