On Sunday, March 30, family, friends and neighbours of the late Michael (Mick) Kelly from Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, will come together to mark his 60th birthday with a day of celebrations, starting with a tractor run and concluding with music, a raffle, and an auction.

Known as 'Mad Mick', he was raised on his parents' - Eugene and Florrie Kelly - small farm at Borestown, Strokestown, along with his four siblings.

The organisers of the day of celebrations recall that he was, from a young age, fascinated with machinery, taking apart everything to see how it worked, with a particular hankering after tractors. His other passion was farming.

"Mick was never happier than when he was with a tractor, whether working the fields with one or spending hours fixing faults. That interest included heavy machinery such as diggers. He was very talented in this area," the committee said.

"He thoroughly enjoyed children and generally had a nickname for them which, in many cases, has stuck. He loved to see them playing and getting up to mischief, absolutely hating to see them glued to screens and phones.".

"Mick had many other interests including history. He had a brilliant memory for dates. He loved music especially folk, rebel and Irish country. He was a member of the Kiltrustan heart safe group, regularly attending training and revalidation sessions until ill health prevented him from taking part. He was always encouraging others to take part," the committee added.

It is fitting, the committee said, that the two organisations to benefit from the tractor run and other events are the Kiltrustan heart safe group and Strokestown playground.

"Mick's health had been declining over the past couple of years and he passed away on August 23 last. No doubt he will be watching over all of the proceedings on March 30," the committee said.

"We can nearly hear him say that such and such should have been done this way, although he would have been very proud of his family and friends for organising this event in his memory. He would have been 60 on Saturday, March 29 and no doubt would have had a few celebrations."

The tractor run will leave Church Street in Strokestown, at 12:30p.m with registration from 10:30a.m, and the 18km drive passing by his home in Borefield and finishing up back in Strokestown.

Bernie's Bar in Strokestown will be the venue for the afternoon events commencing at 4:00p.m with music by the Rough and Ready band.

A raffle with numerous prizes from hampers to vouchers and bottles will be held. The auction will be handled by Roscommon and Strokestown's auctioneer Tom Cox.

All tractors are welcome. Registration is €2O and refreshments will be served prior to take off. More information is available on the social media and iDonate pages.