Tractors & Tudors Christmas Festival
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Tractors & Tudors Christmas Festival 2025
Carrick-on-Suir is set to shine this festive season as the Tractors & Tudors Festival returns on Saturday, 13th December, bringing heritage, farming traditions, and Christmas cheer together in one unforgettable day. Running from 1pm to 8pm, the town will transform into a vibrant celebration of place, community, and storytelling.
This year marks a major milestone as The Christmas Tractors of Carrick-on-Suir celebrate their 12th Annual Carrick Christmas Tractor Run, a cherished hinterland tradition that has grown from a small local initiative into one of the region’s most eagerly anticipated festive events.
The 2025 festival blends three major experiences into one dynamic celebration:
Ormond Castle Christmas Market & Tudor Experiences
EVENTS / ORMOND CASTLE – CASTLE STREET – NEW STREET
Craft & Food Stalls, Amusements, Entertainment, Motorbikes,Tractors and More!
Christmas Craft Market
Free “A Tudor Christmas” Tours
Tudor Re-Enactment Experiences
Join our Tudor experts as they bring history to life
with authentic displays and interactive storytelling:
- Claíomh – Tudor Living History
- Melissa Shiels – Historical Interpreter
2 PM – NEW STREET CAR PARK
South East Bikers – 29th Charity Toy Run
Hundreds of Christmas-decorated bikes arrive in Town for their annual charity toy run, a spectacular festive display supporting children’s causes in the South East.
2 PM – 5 PM / ORMOND CASTLE (LONG GALLERY)
Voices from the Land – Panel & Conversation
A gathering of storytellers and people rooted in the culture of the land, exploring our shared connection through folklore, ritual and tradition. Featuring:
- David Keohan – Indiana Stones: Irish stone-lifting traditions, folklore & strength heritage.
- Eimear Burke – Chief Druid, OBOD: Ritual, myth & Ireland’s spiritual landscape.
- Ben MacCaoilte – Poet & Archaeologist: Poetry, Gaeilge & the memory of place.
- Michael Kelly, GIY – Relationship with the land, soil, biodiversity & local food growing.
Panel Discussion:
A David Keohan–chaired conversation blending ritual, folklore, farming, memory and creativity, with audience input. Recorded for the Carrick-on-Suir Heritage Centre Oral History Collection.
Tickets available HERE.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Mick Kelly, Founder & CEO GIY
Mick is founder of GIY, a social entrepreneur, author, TV presenter and hacker grower. He worked in the IT industry for 10 years before starting GIY in 2008 after a chance encounter with a bulb of Chinese garlic in a supermarket. He co-presented/produced 3 series of Grow Cook Eat for RTE which is now watched around the world on Amazon Prime. He also presents and co-produced the 6-part series Food Matters on RTE 1. Mick is an Ashoka Fellow, a member of The Irish Food Writers Guild and a board member at Common Knowledge. He has written 5 books, the latest of which The GIY Diaries was nominated for an Irish Book Award in 2022. He has written columns on food for The Irish Times, The Irish Independent and Food & Wine Magazine. He was Local Food Hero in the Food & Wine Awards. He lives in Dunmore East with his wife Eilish and two teenage GIYers.
David Keohan
David Keohan is an ordinary working man on an extraordinary adventure. An avid musician and holding both a degree in Fine Art and a world championship title in kettlebell sport, David has used this mix of creativity and single-minded focus to unearth and reanimate an entire lost culture of strength in Ireland, namely Stone lifting, following old folklore stories and mythologies. This has garnered him a lot of attention both nationally and internationally with articles in GQ and Mr Porter magazines, TV appearances, films and documentaries. His ultimate goal is to make Irish stone lifting a household name and to help people reconnect to their ancient customs and folklore. He is based out of the Southeast of Ireland in Waterford.
Eimear Burke
Eimear Burke is the Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD) and lives in Kilkenny, Ireland. Eimear has retired from her private practice as a Counselling Psychologist after 33years. Her interests in Druidry and psychology have led her to act as a Celebrant, helping people to design and enact meaningful rites of passage. She is licensed to perform legalweddings in the Republic of Ireland and can also offer non legal ceremonies. Eimear has a deep love of the ancient Irish tales and has a passion for storytelling. She brings the old tales to new audiences, and - while remaining faithful to the stories - often examines them from new perspectives, so that listeners experience them as fresh and relevant. She particularly enjoys showing people the sacred sites of Ireland and telling the ancient tales right where they happened. Eimear is also a Priestess dedicated to Danú in the Fellowship of Isis. She is an Arch Druidess in the Druid Clan of Dana and a member of the Noble Order of Tara.
Ben MacCaoilte
Ben MacCaoilte is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, and performer whose work is rooted in the rich traditions of Irish storytelling, folklore, and sound. Known for his evocative language and immersive performances, Ben blends poetry, spoken word, and experimental soundscapes to explore themes of identity, landscape, memory, and transformation. With a background in community arts and an ethos of inclusion and authenticity, Ben’s work resonates with audiences across generations and geographies. He has performed at numerous festivals, literary events, and cultural gatherings across Ireland and internationally, captivating listeners with his lyrical narratives and dynamic presence. Ben’s practice often draws from Gaeilge (the Irish language), infusing his work with linguistic depth and cultural resonance. Whether collaborating with musicians, creating site-specific installations, or leading creative workshops, Ben continues to push the boundaries of storytelling and sound in the contemporary arts.
The 12th Annual Carrick Christmas Tractor Run Hinterland Route:
5pm–7pm Piltown ➝ Fiddown ➝ Portlaw ➝ Clonea Power ➝ Rathgormack ➝ Arriving to Carrick-on-Suir @ 7pm
The much-loved Tractor Run once again lights up the hinterland, with illuminated tractors travelling village to village before arriving into Carrick to a joyous welcome. Local children will have their own special moment with the Kids’ Tractor Run at 5:40pm.
Community Christmas Sing-Along
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM / CASTLE PARK GREEN
Community Christmas Carol Sing-Along with the Suir Valley Choir
Kids' Christmas Tractor Run
5:40 PM – 6 PM / CASTLE PARK GREEN
Kids’ Christmas Tractor Run
Festive Street Party with 
Presenter Street Party, Kids’ Tractor Display, Music & Entertainment
7 PM – 8 PM / NEW STREET CAR PARK
Christmas Tractors Return to Carrick-on-Suir
Witness the festive Tractors Display and join the
Presenter Street Party for fun! See website for designated sensory friendly area.
A Festival Rooted in Community
The Tractors & Tudors Festival is proudly organised by Explore Carrick-on-Suir and Carrick Christmas Tractors, with support from Carrick-on-Suir Credit Union and Tipperary County Council.
This celebration honours the connections between people, land, heritage, farming and community, the very soul of Carrick-on-Suir.
Event Details
Tractors & Tudors Festival 2025
Saturday, 13th December
1pm–8pm – Carrick-on-Suir
All are welcome. Many events are free, family-friendly, and open to everyone.
💚 A Celebration of Land, People & Place
