So, at last it’s almost arrived. The centennial of the very first flight across the Irish sea.
In 1909 there were many celebrations for the first crossing of the English Channel. Three years later the crossing of the Irish Sea was more than twice the distance!
There are to be a series of events on the day all of which are due to be covered by RTE television. (I believe BBC 2 have shown an interest in the events as well.)
The events on the day are as follows:
Sunday 22nd
12.15 Unveiling of Commemorative plaque at Enniscorthy Castle
12.30 Flyover of Enniscorthy by light aircraft from the UK, (having flown the same route as the original Bleriot.)
14.00 Fly past of the Irish Air corp CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft.
14.30 - 17.30 Model County Flying Club present a Flying Show at the Showground in Enniscorthy
The display includes Model aircraft display of aircraft & helicopters (including a flying display if wind & weather permit)
As well a fly past of a full size 1930’s de Havilland ‘Dragon’ aircraft similar to the one used for the first passenger flights between Dublin and Bristol
Also a flight of a post WWI, open cockpit, ‘Tiger Moth’. (And you guys thought it was cold on Mt. L. last weekend!)
At around about 16.00, weather permitting, a replica model of a Bleriot XI is due to land at the showground having been flown all the way from Fishguard in Wales to the Stadium in Enniscorthy
All these events are free to the public.
The weather is looking good for Sunday, so, if you’re not doing anything particular on Sunday, or even if you are! make your way to Enniscorthy and join in these once in a lifetime celebrations of some of the earliest days of Irish aviation. :clap:
I have to raise my hat to those early pioneers. They had more courage than I ever will.
Keith