Autumn Run October 2014
The Autumn Run of the Irish Model T Club took place on Sunday 19th October 2014.
Organised by Sean McEvoy and starting from the Maldron Midway Hotel, it is usually the final run of the season for our members. It was a dull and rainy morning as we gathered in the Hotel car park for our pre run briefing by Sean.
We set off in the direction of Abbeyleix where we turned of in the direction of Borris in Ossery. The weather brightened somewhat as we drove through some lovely countryside. Autumn was very much in evidence as the trees were changing colour.
Beautiful shades of yellow, russet and all shades in between lined the roads. Nature is truly wonderful. Soon all the leaves will fall and the trees will sleep over the next few months and by the time we are ready for our first run of 2015 the new growth will be pushing through and hopefully we will have dancing daffodils to greet us!
We continued on our merry way through the village of Ballacolla and on to Borris in Ossery, where we took the road to Roscrea and Racket Hall, our lunch stop. After a delicious lunch, we resumed our run, back through Borris.
Our next stop at the Donaghmore Workhouse and Agricultural Museum. We were greeted by Trevor Stanley who gave us a fascinating talk and tour of these sobering and grim buildings which are some of the few original Workhouses standing today.
This workhouse was commissioned in 1847 at the height of the Great Famine to tackle chronic overcrowding of the Irish Workhouse Union system.
The rain which had been forecast earlier conveniently fell as we were coming to the end of our visit. It cleared as we left the Workhouse, an option which was not too available for the unfortunates who were forced to live there.
Just as we were about to depart Sean McEvoy called the group together and proudly presented his latest work of art being a recreation replica of the original Henry Ford internal combustion engine, the forerunner of engines that has to date been manufactured and supplied to 80 million cars and commercials. It works as it should. Pictures below show Sean setting up the engine and presenting it to us. We were speechless. Congratulations and well done Sean.
We headed off again and drove through Donaghmore village and back towards Abbeyleix. All arrived safely after a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Before closing…
- We wish to extend a special welcome to Anthony Molly from the West of Ireland who joined up as a new member and joins with his son Marcus in experiencing the uniqueness of the Model T.
- We congratulate Thomas Connors on the completion of his 1911 Model T Touring Car and his maiden voyage. It took a little longer that originally thought but Thomas declares he enjoyed the rebuilding experience.
- We are delighted to see Messrs Stinson and Son with their fully repaired 1914 Model T ford Touring Car after its engine rebuild and rear axle overhaul.
- We welcome Paul Dunne who visited his family home and rook time to be with us for the final run of the season, and hope he will return to join with us and his family soon.
- Young Colt, son of Vinny and Lorraine clearly enjoyed his first run in his Grandad’s 1914 Model T Ford. Maybe some day he will drive it himself. Time passes so quickly; we look forward to that day.
We loaded up our cars and said our goodbyes until next year when we hope to meet up once again for another enjoyable T touring season.
A big thank you to Sean McEvoy for his organising of this most enjoyable day for us all.
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