Muckross perpetuates plough memories
In the 1950s, seven members of famous South Kerry teams won a string of All-Ireland horse ploughing titles; they have now been honoured at Muckross Traditional Farms, in Killarney.
All were from the Killarney area, and four survive. A Pierce plough they used in championships has been donated by P J Cronin to the farms at Muckross, where it will be on permanent display. A plaque in honour of the ploughmen has been unveiled by Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue.
Mr Cronin, on winning teams in 1952, 1953, 1954 and 1955, and All-Ireland minor champion in 1952, initiated the commemorative project. ‘I felt it was only right that these men and their achievements, which are part of the history of the land, should be honoured,’ he said.
‘We’re also remembering all the great work that was done with horses, and the pride people took in that work and in the land. Towards the end of the 1950s, big changes were taking place, and the tractor was taking over.’
Mr Cronin and the other surviving ploughmen - John Kissane, Charlie Talbot and Denis Galvin - were at the Muckross function. Deceased team members Dermot O’Sullivan, John Murphy and Micheal Cronin were represented by their families.
The plough was donated by Pierces, the well-known Wexford agricultural machinery company.
’The plough is still in perfect condition,’ Mr Cronin remarked.
The traditional farms at Muckross portray the rural life of Kerry in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, before farm mechanisation and rural electrification. ‘The farms are faithful replicas of existing farms at Barleymount and Aghadoe, where many members of the winning teams grew up and started their ploughing careers,’ said Pat Dawson of Muckross House.
