Closing Run 2018

On the 21st of October 2018 Breffni Vintage Club held our closing run for the 2018 vintage season. The damp start to the morning didn’t deter anyone and a large number of cars assembled at MacSeains Pub for the beginning of the run.The cars departed for the first half of the run which brought them to their mid way stopping point at Glenview House and Folk Museum in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim where they were treated to some very welcome refreshments and snacks by the Kennedy family followed by a guided tour of the Folk Museum.

Teresa Kennedy ensured nobody went thirsty or hungry

Glenview Folk Museum is home to over 7,000 unique artefacts carefully collected and preserved by the Kennedy family ensuring that old traditions are never forgotten. Brian’s guided tour went down a treat and gave everyone an appreciation for the importance of preserving these artefacts for future generations.

The museum contains a number of static shop displays which help to convey how life was like in the past.

The collection is constantly expanding and the museum is well worth a visit as it’s guaranteed to delight both young and old.

The latest addition to the museum is Ann O’Hara’s extensive and unique egg cup collection.

The cars reluctantly departed for the final part of the run after a very enjoyable visit to Glenview House and Folk Museum.

The run finished where it began with an excellent meal at MacSeains Pub in Cornafean, Co. Cavan.

Our chairman Liam D’Arcy gives the closing run a thumbs up!

We’d like to say a special thank you to the Breffni Vintage Club members who organised the run, MacSeains Pub for hosting us and the Kennedy family at Glenview House and Folk Museum for their kind hospitality and opportunity to tour the museum.

As the 2018 season comes to an end we’d be remiss to not mention the tireless work of the Breffni Vintage Club committee who are constantly working behind the scenes ensuring the club’s success and making it an enjoyable experience for all it’s members. The club continues to grow year on year and it’s the hard work of the committee, sub committees and volunteers that is directly responsible for it’s continued success.

Weekend Away 2018

This year the Weekend away was located in Claremorris Co Mayo. After last years tremendous visit to Co. Donegal nobody expected it to be surpassed but no need to worry, we were in for a treat beyond our wildest dreams. The assembly point was the Meadow View car park in Cavan Town. Fourteen cars assembled there plus a motorbike to await our vice chair Peter Lynch who duly arrived with flashing amber lights on the roof of his Audi. This proved to be a master stroke as we all could easily spot him at all the turns, towns & crossroad.

Our first stop was for lunch in Roscommon town, then well fed it was onto Claremorris and the Mc Williams hotel. We even had reserved parking, as we were later to discover Peter had left nothing to chance and had arranged every last detail. The hotel was alive with music. We were greeted by a pianist playing tunes on a grand piano, well maybe that was not for the Breffni Brigade but we claimed it anyway. Food and dancing seemed to be the order of the evening’s enjoyment.

Next morning saw us head for Cong. At Lisloughrey pier we boarded the cruise boat “Isle of Innishfree” for a trip on Lough Corrib to Inchagoill  Island with it’s remains of the first Irish Christian church and the Romanesque (late 12th century) stone church. The nearby pillar maybe the oldest (6th century) Irish inscription in Roman letters in Ireland & in Europe. As we cruised along Ashford castle came into view. Those of us who were at Farmleigh House a few weeks ago, had a sense of De Ja Vieu because all this area was once the holiday home for the Guinness family. On the cruise we were entertained by an octogenarian who played the accordion, sang and told yarns. Not to be outdone Norman Whyte gave a beautiful renditioning of the “Fields of Athenry.”

Then a leisurely drive to Claremorris for a group meal where it was revealed that Catherine & Peter Lynch were celebrating their wedding anniversary and of course we had to toast the happy couple. Not to be outdone our treasurer Patrick Mc Govern was also celebrating a significant birthday and lo and behold a beautifully decorated birthday cake adorned with a master builder was produced, so more celebrations followed and then more music and entertainment.

On Sunday we traveled to Knock for a short visit to find the place thronged. I didn’t think there were so many coaches in the country. Then on the road home with a stop at the “Old Stone House” in Ballinlough which has Cavan connections, of course we were well looked after.

A fabulous weekend with great credit due to Peter Lynch for reorganizing the the event with such care and attention to detail that made all the more relaxed and enjoyable.

Breffni Vintage Club Outing – 16th September 2018

On Sunday 16th September the club held a coach outing to Dublin, visiting Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park. Farmleigh house was once the home of the Guinness family but is now owned by the state and is used among other things as a residence for visiting heads of state. In recent times Queen Elizabeth, the Japanese Emperor and the Canadian premier have all stayed there.

The group enjoyed a conducted tour of the house and its contents and the history of its famous residents was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The group then walked around the gardens in beautiful Autumn sunshine before heading for the vintage show in Swords.

Doreen and Victor Bryson enjoying the gardens at Farmleigh House

The coach returned loaded down with much booty from the auto jumble. I would like to thank everyone who helped with the organisation but special thanks is due to Denis Wright and Richard Mee who undertook the bulk of the organising.