R.I.A.C. Classic Car Show 2018

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Liam D'Arcy

The club was delighted to receive the award for best club stand at the recent R.I.A.C. classic car show in the R.D.S. in Dublin.

Great credit is due to Patrick Mc Govern and his hard-working crew who spent many cold nights working on the planned themes for the show.

Not content with a single theme they devised a number of themes which included “ancient Rome” complete with columns and a charioteer being drawn by a suitably harnessed Vespa scooter.

The famous film “The Italian Job” also featured with fantastic art work by Rob. Steinke who also assisted with transport and manning of the stand. Modern day Italy also got a look in with Francie Mac’s little Vespa truck dressed as an ice cream van. What the Italian ambassador and his entourage thought of it all when he visited our stand one can only guess at.

The Italian ambassador and his entourage visit our stand

All club members enthusiastically supported the effort but the following were to the forefront with their assistance, Patrick Mc Govern who organised a motley gang of workers, who built a chariot, and bases for the roman columns. Denis Wright and Stephen Brunton worked wonders on the ice cream van. Garry Mc Guigan made “Gold” instead of money for a change which drew many comments, the ambassador wanted it returned to Italy. Norman Whyte proved a “dab” hand at the painting. Rob Steinke wowed everybody with his artwork and portrayal of a mafia man on the stand. Alan D’Arcy managed to make air con pipes look like Roman columns. Richard Mee ploughed his way through snow drifts to make sure our Centurion arrived for the event.

Many thanks to all who helped or contributed either to the work or manning the stand for a great club effort. Well done to everybody.

Coach Tour 2018

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Liam D'Arcy

Breffni Vintage club organised an outing on Sat 3rd February to the Ulster Transport museum.

On the day forty members turned out for the memorable outing. The group got off to a great start with a hearty breakfast at QUINN’S CORNER which stood to the group with all the walking and talking which occurred during the rest of the day. The Ulster transport museum is truly spectacular with trains, trams cars and horses. It was especially interesting to see trains and carriages from the Cavan Leitrim narrow gauge on display. The only complaint that I heard was “not enough time”. Many were disappointed that they did not have the time to visit the Folk village. Its always best to leave something for the next time.

From there it was on to Motoring Memories heritage museum in Ballygowan Co. Down where we got a right royal welcome from the owner Raymond Walls. It was like stepping back in time with the massive display of motoring memorabilia but especially his collection of petrol pump globes. Raymond then gave the group a talk on his collection and how it all started and how he travelled all over Ireland and England to amass his wonderful collection. His life story and wonderful hospitality was much appreciated and especially the tea and biscuits and it was all tea as nobody partook of coffee and Raymond says this was a first for any visiting group so the B.V.C. makes history again. Our grateful thanks to Raymond and may we suggest to anybody who has not had the pleasure to visit this treasure trove of a collection to do so in the future.Then it was on the coach and back home and everyone talking about the “next time”.

Our thanks to Denis Wright and Norman Whyte for organising the whole affair and not forgetting Noel Grainger and Richard Mee for the sweets.

New Years Day Outing 2018

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Liam D'Arcy

The now annual new years day motor cycle run organised by Denis and Anne Wright was organised with the usual efficiency that we have come to expect from them. Denis had a new menu this year which even included boxty so everybody was well fortified for the trip and the weather was passable.

Around eighteen vehicles took part on the usual circuit taking in Killeshandra, Crossdoney, Ballinagh and Cavan. Heads were quickly cleared after the new year celebrations.

A get together at a filling station in Cavan gave a great chance for everybody to have a “natter and a cupa ” Well done to every body concerned as it gets the new year off to a great start.

Closing Run 2017

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Liam D'Arcy

On Sunday 22nd Nov. 2017 the Breffni vintage club held their final run of the season. Noel Grainger and Raymond Mc Dermot were the organisers for the day and what a successful job they made of it, everything was run to perfection.

Over fifty cars assembled at Derrylin Hall for 10.30 where a wonderful reception awaited them. The hall was heated and a mouth watering array of cakes and breads and biscuits was on display and all home made. The members were very reluctant to leave this cosy atmosphere. Our gratitude to the ladies and the organisers for their hospitality.

We eventually took to the bye roads of Fermanagh taking in Kinawley and Killesher enroute to the museum in Enniskillen. Here the organisers had arranged for the museum to be opened specially for us and a guided tour was provided as well. The recently refurbished museum was enthralling with many wonderful artefacts, I think the staff thought we might never leave.

On the return journey the motorcade diverted via Knockninny before returning to the Seven Horseshoes in Belturbet where Francie Cahill and staff provided the usual customary hospitality and a fine meal was enjoyed by all before setting out for home and so another year of outings drew to a close with everybody looking forward to next year.

2017 Weekend Away

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Liam D'Arcy

This year for our weekend away we headed for the hills of Donegal or more precisely the Innishowen peninsula. So a motorcade of fourteen cars and two motorcycles set off on Friday morning 6th October for the Innishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana. First port of call was a coffee break at ‘Biddy’s O’Barnes’ at the Barnsmore gap.

Suitably fortified we resumed our journey with Patrick McGovern kept very busy shepherding those of us who strayed from the designated path, to arrive for a very relaxed evening in Buncrana.

Saturday morning dawned a little misty but nothing that could be called rain in Donegal. Leading the cavalcade was George and Myra and boy were we glad they were there with their local knowledge. First stop was the Gap of Mamore, which everybody reached despite a hard climb then it was all downhill to the Donagh Famine village where a full day could easily be spent but time and tide wait for no man and so it was onto Malin Head the most northernly point in Ireland. Some of our intrepid members relived their experience of this place from their exploits on the ‘Honda 50’ run. Then it was back to the hotel in Buncrana for an evening meal.

The group then retired to the bar where we discovered just how talented our group were with a wonderful display of party pieces and dancing.

On Sunday morning it was back to Cavan with everybody full of praise for the organisers namely John Hayes and Norman Whyte who left nothing to chance and covered every detail of this trip. Donegal was just magic. Some members have already started working on next years outing with plans for heading west this time so watch this space

Breffni Vintage Club

The Breffni Vintage Club Website

Author Archives: Liam D'Arcy

R.I.A.C. Classic Car Show 2018

Coach Tour 2018

New Years Day Outing 2018

Closing Run 2017

2017 Weekend Away