Castlerahan Vintage Club raises incredible €30,000 for Knocktemple NS. Back (from left): Tony Lynch, James Clerkin, Michael Callaghan, from Castlerahan Vintage Club; Cllr Noel Connell, Stephen Farrelly, School Board of Management; Cathal Flanagan, Castlerahan Vintage Club; Jackie, Cathal and Nakita Denning, Gerard Keogan members of Castlerahan Vintage Club. Front Row L-R :- Lynn Grimes, Parents Association; Emma Reilly, Teacher; Rosemary Gilsenan, Bord Management Treasurer; Ruth Farrelly, SNA; Michéal McGinn, Chairman of Castlerahan Vintage Club presenting a cheque for €30,000 to the Knocktemple NS Principal, Karen Reilly; Geraldine Keogan, SNA; Ethan Keogan, Aaron Keogan and Shirley Reilly, School Secretary.Photo: Sean McMahon

Tractor raffle raises €30K for Knocktemple NS

Sean McMahon

Published: Sat 7 Nov 2026, 8:46 AM

Castlerahan Vintage Club presented a cheque of €30,000 to the Principal of Knocktemple NS, Karen Kelly recently.

There are 165 pupils in the school, six main stream teachers, nine SNAs, three teachers in the Autism Class, three special education teachers and another three teachers on the supply panel.

Chairman of Castlerahan Vintage Club Michéal McGinn explained that the club purchased a second-hand Ford 36 Tractor with the aim of raffling it as a fundrasier for the school.

“We set about doing it up completely over last winter and we put it up for raffle on last St Patrick’s day.”

Members of the Vintage Club committee attended lots of events over the summer months and sold raffle tickets for the draw for the tractor.

“We then raffled off the Ford 36 Tractor looking like new on our field day on the 30st August in Castlerahan. The tractor was actually won by a Munterconnaught person in the raffle. It remained in the area, despite tickets being sold all over the country.”

Principal of Knocktemple NS Karen Reilly said the money will go towards the refurbishment of a new playground.

“New swings and trampolines have already been put in place. Now our aim is to build an outdoor classroom and we have more sensory toys to be placed in the playground. Sand and water will be added and maybe a sensory garden. This €30,000 cheque will enable us to achieve all those goals and we are thrilled and most grateful to Castlerahan Vintage Club for their hard work and generous donation”.