Autumn Run: 22nd September 2024

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For those interested in numbers, we had participation from 40+ members, guests and children, 17 cars of mixed years with 6 of the 16 Ts of 1915, a round trip of 45 miles all in, visiting 4 counties in Ireland.   To say the least, it was a most enjoyable picnic run with hardly any traffic, hardly any hills and a bountiful selection of countryside views; second to none. 

John Q our flag man was on duty at each of the stops, flying the Ford emblem, and giving a sense of order and organisation to our event.  He was overseen by a magnificent herd of Aberdeen Angus and Herefords at our rally base, and another heard of Charolais at our picnic spot.

The backdrop within the restaurant makes for an interesting atmosphere with the 1906 Model N and the 1909 Model at Touring Car.  Of interest, it will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 am to 5:00 pm

Irish Model T Ford Club Autumn Run: Sunday 22nd September 2024

Sandra, ably assisted by Eoin and Rachael, had provided us with morning refreshments and delicious home-made cakes.  Of note, the goodies bag containers Biscoff Brownies, Apple Cake, Bakewell and Krispie Carmel Squares for consumption at picnic time.

Also, these two young people, provided road traffic management, signalling at difficult junctions, getting ahead of our group as motor cyclists and positioning themselves in expert positions, and on time.

The order to crank up out Ts was called for by our President John Brady who welcomed our gathering of members and thanked our hosts Sandra and Alan Coote for hosting the event and making our entertainment for the day pleasurable and enjoyable.

We headed West in convoy with the Cootes leading and the young ones on a motorcycle, buzzing to and fro with expertise precision.

On arrival at Granard in County Longford, we left County Cavan, and before the day was out, we would have traveled in counties Meath and WestMeath.

The Knights & Conquests Heritage and Visitor Centre is a tourist attraction located in the picturesque town of Granard, Co. Longford. We came to experience Norman Ireland in a picturesque setting.

With a history dating back thousands of years, the centre is situated beside Ireland’s Tallest Norman Motte at 544 feet high. It was built in 1199 by Richard de Tuite the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.

Upon arrival we were checked-in at reception and received an orientation from one of the expert tour guides. We then begin our journey through our Anglo-Norman history beginning with an immersive introductory movie, introducing their links to Granard.

The story of a falling out between two men that ultimately caused the Norman invasion had us riveted.

At this point, Colt and Sandra availed of the option to dress up in Norman clothes and receive their Norman name and duties for their visit.

The tour from that point on is self-guided.  We had the freedom to read and interact with all the information on display at our leisure. We came face to face with famous characters of the period including Henry II, King Rory O’Connor and Pope Adrian IV. These really help to bring history to life!

We visited a recreated Norman home and learned how they lived and to find out all about the weapons they used. 

We discovered Kitty’s place in the War of Independence through her relationship with her fiance Michael Collins.  Our visit ended with a beautiful and poignant audio-visual illustration from Kitty herself of life in Granard in the 1920’s, the Civil War and her love for Michael.

At this stage, the food gatherers took the opportunity to visit the nearby restaurant where a selection of picnic food was aplenty with buckets of choice for every pallet.

Meanwhile the junk gatherers strolled across the road to the garage of former David Browne agents to be greeted by our member Eamon Creamer and his brother Gabriel Creamer.

The large garage premises, inside and outside, is a treasure chest of vehicles, horse drawn and motorised.  A state of work in progress prevails. It is a start stop enterprise for sure. 

With such variety of projects on hand, it is easy to see the problems of choice. 

Of interest to out T men, there is a really good 1921 7 Cwt Delivery Van standing cheek by jowl with a 1923 TT One Ton Truck, both ready for the paint booth. 

Pride of place is Kitty Kiernan’s brother’s Model T Touring Car bearing the original registration IX-280.  I

A few strides await is a 1915 Brass Speedster, and not too far away, a Model T Hearse, that is almost complete.  A ground up creation with Eamon’s skilled hands and inquisitive mindset, will surely make for a vehicle of note very soon.

Time was pushing on.  Next administration task, to drag our members away from the E & G Creamer collection; not too difficult really as grub time was neigh. Our picnic venue, a mere few miles away, on the homeward treck.

We were really taken aback on entering the premises of the former Ballywillin Railway station, where we parked up in line of the now removed railway track, adjacent to the signal box and the railway station and goods store depot.

Despite conversion for use as a private house, this former railway station retains its early form, character and much of its early fabric.

The fine limestone masonry and attention to detail is typical of Victorian railway architecture. High quality craftsmanship is evident throughout, particularly in the dressings and the detailing to the openings.

This railway station was built by The Midland and Great Western Railway Company to serve the Inny Junction to Cavan Line, which opened in 1856. This line closed to passenger traffic in 1947 and was subsequently completely closed by CIE in 1960.

The station was probably originally built to designs by George Wilkinson (1814 – 1890), a noted architect of his day, who also completed the designs for a number of other railway stations for The Midland and Great Western Railway Company.

This building is similar in style to the railway stations at Edgeworthstown (13309002), at Longford Town (13004044) and at Dromod, County Leitrim (30818010).

This appealing building forms the centrepiece of an interesting collection of railway-related structures along with the railway goods shed (13401107) and the railway signal box (13401106) to the south, and the railway platforms, outbuildings and the remains of the former water tower.

This former water tower also represents an interesting historical reminder of the age of steam.

This former station forms part of the industrial heritage of County Longford and is an interesting historical reminder of great age of railway construction during the mid-to-late nineteenth-century.

The impressive decorative wrought-iron railings to the east side of the former water tower add an artistic quality to this utilitarian structure.

Our picnic was a delight. Good food and good company made for enjoyment. Some posh people had rugs, chairs and assortments of goodies.  Others dined on freshly prepared take always such as Caesar Salads and BLT filled rolls.  Rounding up the occasion, was a dig into Sandra’s goodie bag of freshly baked cakes.  Could not ask for more.

We were scrupulously watched over by a heard of Charolais cattle, standing in line, at 45 degrees to the Model T line up.  Fabulous occasion to admire such a lovely site of well kept and nurtured farm animals. Flag hoisted at full mast.

Group photograph time was called.  We strolled up to the platform, with the energetic ones climbing for the snapshot.  Time to say thank you to special people. 

First, Eamon and Gabriel, with thanks for allowing us free hand, to inspect and admire their lifetime collection of old artefacts, horse drawn and motorised. President John Brady expressed our appreciation and made a presentation of a small bowl on behalf of us all.

Second, to Sandra and Alan, President John Brady made a presentation of a Viking Bowl as a token of our gratitude. He said it was really fitting that as we were earlier in the day immersed in the culture of the Normans of 1169, and now with the predating presentation.  We appreciate their generosity of time and effort in making our visit to their locale, so enjoyable and educational.

Third, he expressed his thanks on behalf of us all to caretaker of Ballinwillan Train Station, Bernard Gillian for keeping the premises in very good order and permitting us all to enjoy the occasion.

Finally, out of nowhere, Robert Lambert suggested to us all, that we could have a bit of fun.

on the former railway track, by dividing up the fleet of cars, one half down track and meeting centre platform in two rows, travelling in opposite directions.

The suggestion was taken up with enthusiasm, for in no time at all, all cars were mobilised and travelling to and fro the full length of the former track. One of our ladies was overheard to comment on boys and toys, the older they get the bigger the toys get. One wondered, would the fun ever stop with an intent to stay all night driving around in longitude circles.

On schedule, we arrived back at our rally base, the Coote homestead.  With cars properly secured on trailers it was time to bid adieu, but only after a short refreshment and a further dive into the delicious cakes; one for the road so to speak.

In signing off, we all had a superb day. The weather was dry and warm with occasional bursts of sunshine.  The countryside with its hills and dales, a reminder of the formation from the glacier valley, with colourful forty shades of green in abundance. 

We express the consensus of our group, of our grateful thanks and appreciation to Sandra and Alan.

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