DE COURCEY CLASSIC & VINTAGE CLUB

The De Courcey Classic & Vintage Club is a West Cork‑based community organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of traditional and modern ploughing. Operating from the Draper Family Lands at Artitige, Kilbrittain, the club brings together enthusiasts of all ages and abilities – from complete beginners to seasoned competitors – to share knowledge, experience and a love of the countryside.

The club’s core activity is hands‑on training, exemplified by its popular Ploughing Training Day, which offers practical instruction in a wide range of techniques such as conventional, reversible, three‑furrow, vintage hydraulic, trailer and even horse‑driven ploughing, all conducted under NPA rules. Expert local coaches and judges are on hand to provide tips and feedback, and participants are encouraged to use their own tractors and equipment on demonstration plots that showcase world‑class, European and Irish standards. In addition to training, the club organises competitions, displays and social events, often in partnership with local businesses and charities such as Pieta.

Through these activities the De Courcey Classic & Vintage Club serves farmers, hobbyists and anyone keen to learn or improve ploughing skills, fostering a friendly, inclusive atmosphere that celebrates both heritage and innovation in Irish agriculture.