Galwayman’s Wild Atlantic Way tractor trek for Gaza

Pat Murphy, a teacher and father of four from Corofin, is braving the unseasonal elements in his 1962 David Brown 850, which can only reach a maximum speed of 24kph.

The drive from Malin Head in Donegal to Mizen Head in Cork would only take eight hours in a modern vehicle on a more direct route – but Pat has earmarked two weeks for himself and his tractor along coastal Wild Atlantic Way.

“The tractor can probably do a maximum speed of 24kph so it will be a long journey, but for a very worthy cause,” said Pat, who teaches woodwork at Wesley College Dublin and lives with his family in Sallins, Co Kildare.

“It is a 62-year-old David Brown that has been fully restored. It has no power steering or cabin, just fresh air. If it rains, I’ll be just going through it,” he said.

“There is no suspension either and not a lot of comfort so I will have an extra cushion on the seat, which will make a huge difference.

“I will also be wearing a lot of Factor 50 and a sombrero hat to protect me from the sun and it can actually get very cool in an open top tractor so I have a heavy coat with me too.”

He began his trek last Thursday afternoon from Malin Head and is accompanied by his friend Tony Harrison from Ballina, who is driving a camper van where the duo will sleep each night.

All proceeds will go to the humanitarian aid organisation Concern Worldwide and its Gaza appeal.

Caption: Pat Murphy in his 1962 David Brown 850, which he is driving along the 2,800km Wild Atlantic Way at top speed of 24kph to raise money for Concern and Gaza.

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To support Pat Murphy’s tractor fundraising trek for Gaza, go to his GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/f7046b8d and his Instagram page is called Murphsmeander_malintomizen.