Kilbrittain tractor raises funds to build facility for autistic adults

THE annual Kilbrittain Tractor run took place on December 31 2023, raising funds for the ASD community as it has been doing for over a decade.

Chairperson Jim O’Mahony told The Echo that the event began in 2013 as a way of raising money for children with autism in their local primary school.

He explained, “We ran it for seven or eight years but then we left them in a very good position, we raised a lot of money, then we started thinking about how these kids weren’t going to be kids forever - this took us to the next part of our journey.” 

They met with the then Taoiseach Micheál Martin, as well as local TDs and councillors to discuss their plan to build a residential and day care centre for autistic adults in Dunmanway.

John and Mary McCarthy generously donated land for this facility.

Mr O’Mahony said, “the last couple of years we have dedicated the tractor run to the Dunmanway project, and it has grown from 276 tractors in 2013 to 480 this year.” 

“We have the green light for it, and now we have to partner with a charity organisation – we’re in talks with the HSE and CoAction.” 

Mr O'Mahony extended his thanks to the committee members, all sponsors including main sponsor Bridgestone Tyres and the Kilbrittain Inn, who prepared free breakfasts for all drivers.

Cork South West TD Christopher O’Sullivan said, “This is one of the most important projects ongoing in West Cork at the moment.

“We know that there is a dire need for a residential centre for autistic adults - caregivers are getting older, and there’s a huge degree of uncertainty around what happens to these autistic adults when their parents pass on.

“What Jim and the team here are trying to do is to provide a level of certainty and security for the families when they reach that point.

“I think it’s incredible, and I will do everything possible in my role as a TD to ensure the planning goes through, the build commences and we have this centre up and running as soon as possible.”