The County Kerry farming community is preparing for one of its most meaningful annual gatherings as the Ardfert Tractor Run returns this August with a renewed purpose. This year’s event will honor the memory of Lillie Gaynor, whose sudden passing at the age of 19 deeply affected her family, friends, and the wider local community. Alongside celebrating her life, the fundraiser will support Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), an organization dedicated to raising awareness of cardiac conditions affecting young people.
Ardfert Tractor Run 2026
The event will take place on August 9 in Ardfert, County Kerry, with registration beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the Village Green before tractors set off at 1:30 p.m. Organizers have also planned a full afternoon of family activities, entertainment, and refreshments, making the occasion far more than a traditional tractor parade.
Participation is open to tractor owners from across Kerry and neighboring counties, with an entry fee of €20 per tractor. Every euro raised will be donated directly to CRY, helping fund education, awareness initiatives, and support for families affected by sudden cardiac conditions.
Record Participation Target
The organizing committee hopes this year’s edition will become the largest in the event’s history. Their goal is to exceed the previous record of 137 participating tractors, demonstrating both the strength of Ireland’s agricultural community and its willingness to rally behind important charitable causes.
While tractor runs have long been a tradition across rural Ireland, they increasingly serve as community fundraising events that combine agricultural heritage with social responsibility. The Ardfert Tractor Run is a strong example of how machinery enthusiasts, farmers, local businesses, and families can come together around a shared purpose.
Supporting Cardiac Awareness
Choosing CRY as the beneficiary gives the event additional significance. The charity works to improve awareness of inherited and undiagnosed cardiac conditions in young people while promoting screening, education, research, and family support. By linking the fundraiser to Lillie Gaynor’s memory, organizers hope the event will not only generate donations but also encourage greater public awareness of heart health among younger generations.
Community tractor events often receive attention because of the impressive machinery involved, but their greatest value lies elsewhere. They demonstrate that agriculture remains deeply connected to local communities, where equipment becomes a symbol of solidarity rather than simply productivity. Events like this remind us that the agricultural sector continues to play an important social role, using its traditions and strong local networks to support families, charities, and causes that matter far beyond the farm gate.
About the Organizer
The Ardfert Tractor Run is organized by a volunteer community committee based in Ardfert, County Kerry, working closely with the Gaynor family and local supporters. The event has grown into one of the area’s recognized community tractor gatherings, with organizers now aiming to surpass 137 participating tractors while raising funds for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). The initiative is supported by local sponsors, including EF Signs Ltd., and continues to unite farmers, contractors, businesses, and residents around a shared charitable mission.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Location: Ardfert Village Green, Ardfert, County Kerry, Ireland
Registration: Opens at 11:00 a.m.
Tractor Run Start: 1:30 p.m.
Family Activities: Fun and games will take place on the Village Green from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., making the event suitable for visitors of all ages.
Refreshments: Food and refreshments will be available on the Green following the completion of the tractor run.
Entry Fee: €20 per tractor.
Beneficiary: All proceeds from the event will be donated to Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), supporting awareness, education, and initiatives focused on preventing sudden cardiac death among young people.
Organizers encourage tractor owners, agricultural enthusiasts, local families, and visitors from across County Kerry and beyond to attend. Whether participating in the convoy or simply enjoying the atmosphere, attendees will be helping honor Lillie Gaynor’s memory while contributing to an important charitable cause.
