35th Annual Rally: Saturday 6th July 2024
At Carrickdale Hotel, Dundalk, an assembly of members and friends took place on Saturday morning at 9:30 am where more than fifty Model T Cars of varying ages and colours, were lined up ready for the off.
A passerby would be forgiven for a time wrap of 100 years, as our and gentlemen were appropriately dressed in costumes of the early 20th century.
Secretary’s introduction followed then. Words of welcome from President John Brady to our members from the four corners of Ireland and with a chead mile failte to our guest members of the Model T Register of Great Britain.
Michael Loughran gave his derivers’ briefing. Our journey would take us in a rather erratic figure of eight, firstly a southern loop followed by an eastern one. We would see places of interest, scenic countryside and historical landmarks.
We duly departed on time and our cavalcade of 50 motors purred off in unison, skirting around Dundalk and after half an hour we were parked up at the seaside village of Blackrock.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Blackrock was a holiday destination for people in the landlocked counties of Monaghan and Cavan. The beach, which is pictured in colourised postcards of that era, was created with sand imported from beaches further down the coast, as sand is continually washed away contributing to the buildup of silt in Dundalk Bay.
The village has subsequently seen a revival as a tourist resort. Since the late 1960s, Blackrock has expanded significantly and has become a dormitory village of Dundalk.
Blackrock beach and its promenade (incorporating Blackrock’s Millennium project – a sundial which is claimed to be the largest in a public area in Ireland) is still a focal point of the village.
The promenade area has several restaurants and public houses. Our lineup of vehicles was much admired by locals and visitors alike. We too enjoyed our short stay and the view of the Irish Sea, glistening in the mid-morning sunshine.
Next stop, a good few miles away, was Dromiskin village for a rest and walk about in Darver Heritage park. The most famous son is remembered here for his scientific invention of the first induction coil. As a priest Rev. Fr. Nicholas Callan returned to Maynooth as the new professor of natural philosophy, now called physics.
While in Rome, he became acquainted with the work of the pioneers in electricity and development of the electric battery.
An induction coil produces an intermittent high voltage alternating current from a low voltage direct current supply. It has a primary coil consisting of a few turns of thick wire wound around an iron core and subjected to low voltage (usually from a battery). Wound on top of this is a secondary coil made up of many turns of thin wire. An iron armature and make-and-break mechanism repeatedly interrupts the current tp the primary coil, producing a high-voltage, rapidly alternating current in the secondary circuit.
We are grateful to Dromiskin Tidy Towns committee fore the welcome they extended to us.
Photographed is the craftsman who assembled shovel and spade heads to form a working man with the inscription “Don’t forget your shovel if you want to go to work”; clever and witty !
Only too soon it was time for refreshments, whereupon Michael Loughran led us all the way as far as Ravensdale for light refreshments.
Daughters, grand children and friends were there at home to welcome us and provide delicious food and beverages more than sufficient to keep us going on. The sun shone down while we basked in the garden taking the opportunity to meet, chat and socialise.
Carlingford and its surrounding area is truly stunning. The coastal drive, taken at a leisurely pace on single carriage roads, was delightful. Moreover, the zero density of oncoming traffic was the unexpected bonus, where the winding paved roadway, so appropriate for Edwardian traffic, was really appreciated.
On arrival at the village, and having parked up in the car park to overflow, the general public were welcoming and appreciative of seeing such a bunch of old crocks in splendid order; many photographs and videos capturing the moment.
On our return to base at Carrickdale Hotel, we faced the southern hill assent out of Newry, slowly and carefully, gently nurturing our cars in the hope that the petrol tank fluid level would at least equal to that of the carburettor fuel bowl. After a day of driving one would expect half full/empty remaining, the critical measurement for forward hill climbing. Most but not all of us were lucky.
Our Gala Evening took off at the appointed hour of 8:00 pm. The ballroom was beautifully decorated; tables adorned with the best of crockery and culinary with matching chairs. All very posh. Food served hot and on time by attentive staff. Everyone was pleased.
President John Brady when addressing his constituents, referred to the excellence of the hotel owners, operators and staff.
He thanked members for their courtesy and safe driving on the roads in County Louth and for presenting their vehicles in good order.
He paid a special welcome to the visitors from United Kingdom for taking a few days out of their Irish Tour arrangements to be with us on our 35th Annual Rally.
A hand turned bowl was presented to Michael Loughran with thanks and appreciation, for organising his segment of the two-day run. Without exception, the consensus was positive and greeted with acclaim.
Raymond Megaw, our leader for the second leg of our run was also presented with a hand turned bowl. We had received the route sheets in advance and were well able to forecast that the occasion would be educational and enjoyable.
We looked forward to the forty shades of green that the Mourne Mountains are acclaimed for.
Finally, the highlight presentation award of the Silver Salver was made to Bernard and Ann Duffy. To be noted that the gift was presented to our club by our sister club in 1997 and has been awarded continually ever since.
We ended our day and evening celebrations in style with musical contributions and storytelling from within.
Closing off the Saturday segment, let us record, once again, the high standards that we are so used to, have once again been achieved, thanks to dedicated personnel sharing their knowledge of Irish countryside and way of life to those of us most fortunate to be able to take the opportunity to enjoy ourselves in the company of fellow compatriots. Well done Michael.
