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| Charlie Keegan and co at the Ploughing Championships, Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow, 17 July 1962 |
It’s a very scenic rural picture – a young boy in short
trousers sits on the back of his father’s tractor as he is ploughing. In the
distance, you can see the gentle rolling mountains, and the cloud-covered sky.
Then you notice the three men in suits, and wonder if a film noir gangster
flick took a wrong turn when changing locations.
Instead, it is the singular Charlie Keegan at the Ploughing
Championships in Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow in 1962. The little boy is his son,
Alan, looking very proud of his father’s skills. And so he should, because two
years later Charlie would go on to win the World Ploughing Championship in
Austria, a feat not repeated by a competitor from the Republic of Ireland for
another 30 years.
Though sophisticated modern readers may find it amusing, the
winning of this title was considered a big achievement at the time. Charlie was
met at the airport by enthusiastic crowds and he and his Golden Plough trophy
were carried shoulder-high from the plane into the terminal building.
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| Charlie Keegan arriving home with his Golden Plough, 4 October 1964 |
The very same tractor as seen in this photograph once again
took pride of place at this year’s Ploughing Championships. Charlie’s grandson,
Michael, had led the charge to restore the Deutz D40 tractor that had won the
world title. He had managed to source the original tractor not far from his
family home, though he had to go to England to source parts for the exact model
of plough that Charlie had used. If you want to find out more about the story
of the restoration, you’ll find all the details on the Waterfall Farm
blog.
Apparently, the next project for Michael is the restoration
of the D15 tractor Charlie was presented with by Deutz after his triumph. Once
again, the Lensmen photographers were present for this even, as were Charlie’s
two sons. This tractor is now also sitting in Enniskerry, crying out for a lick
of paint. Maybe both Keegan tractors will be present at the 2015 Ploughing
Championships, perhaps inspiring a new generation of grandchildren to keep the
legacy alive.
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| Presentation of the D15 tractor, 15 December 1964 |
Lovely story there. I'd say the small boy and myself were about the same age. I was born in 1956 and I'd say the child is about five or six. I also wore short trousers in the 60s; it was common wear for young boys back then! Unfortunately though, I never had an interest in ploughing! Anyway, thanks for the article; it was a pleasure to read. I'd say it brings back memories for many.
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