|
|
Post by Matt McNamara on Jun 21, 2012 19:35:31 GMT
Curragh Local History Group
Heritage Week Spectacular
|
|
|
|
Post by Matt McNamara on Aug 16, 2012 21:32:31 GMT
Heritage Week event with a difference.
On Saturday August 25th, the Curragh Local History Group have organised a very different type of event for Heritage Week. Instead of visiting stately homes and castles, they have organised a commemorative event at Lumville House Hotel, Curragh, where a display will take place, of racing/sports cars and motorcycles similar to those that would have competed at the Curragh between 1947 and 1967. Included among the entries are six racing cars that actually raced on what was known as the Curragh “Short Circuit”. Many people will remember seeing a tiny racing car powered by a motorcycle engine, called “the Leprechaun” driven by Redmond Gallagher, and the “Iona Special” which was an MG special raced by Pierce Cahill of Iona Airways, both cars will be on display at Lumville House on Saturday 25th. There will also be a display of photographs of racing events at the “Short Circuit”, and a short film of the 1948 and ’49 races will be shown.
The Curragh could boast of having no less than two motor racing circuits in the late '40s and early fifties. Known as the "short" circuit and the "big" circuit, each played host to great entries and attracted huge crowds. The "short" circuit was first used in 1947 and catered for both car and motorcycle events, and was used until the late sixties. It consisted of a triangular 1.6 mile circuit, with the start and finish line on the road from the Curragh Rugby grounds down to Donnelly’s Hollow, turning left for Lumville Cross, then left again to complete the triangle. Paddy Brennan, a Newbridge man better known as "Battle axe" rode a 350 BSA, at the first meeting in 1947, which added great local interest. Among the list of Officials were some other familiar names, Jack Lewis, proprietor of the Wesleyan Home in the Curragh at that time, was a Steward of the meeting, Col Sean Collins-Powell was listed as a Judge and Comdt McInerney was Chief Medical Officer.
|
|
|
|
Post by Matt McNamara on Aug 16, 2012 21:44:32 GMT
Motor Cars racing on the short circuit in 1954 Motor Bikes racing on the short circuit in 1959 The photographs from Oliver McCrossan show the Motor Racing action on two wheels as well as four on the Curragh Circuit in the 1950's. Thanks to Oliver for sharing this historical information and photographs and I wish him and The Curragh Local History Group all the best with their Heritage Week Spectacular 2012. |
|
|
|
Post by Matt McNamara on Aug 31, 2012 19:34:55 GMT
Some photographs from last weeks Heritage Week at The Curragh Matt |
|
