Minister of State to launch ‘How Ireland Saved Motor Sport’
Collaboration between Kildare, Carlow and Laois County Councils
2nd June 2023: Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcom Noonan TD will officially launch ‘How Ireland Saved Motor Sport’, two heritage videos telling the story of Gordon Bennett. The launch will take place in the VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art, Carlow on Friday 16th June at 7:30pm.
The videos tell the story in two parts and were researched and produced by Blake and Bailey Video Production with funding from the Heritage Council under the Heritage Plan Fund. The videos, are the result of a collaboration between the Heritage Offices of Carlow, Kildare and Laois County Councils and are set to appeal to motoring enthusiasts, historians and anyone who loves a good story.
Watch footage from the Gordon Bennett Classic Race as it follows the route between the counties of Laois, Carlow and Kildare, explore archival photographs of the race and the intrigued crowds that watched along the route from some precarious vantage points. The videos also feature interviews in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. This is a story that covers generations and will now be told for future generations to come.
Kildare County Council, Heritage Officer, Bridget Loughlin said; “On behalf of all the Heritage Officers involved, we are really proud of the videos and delighted to contribute to this worthwhile collaboration between neighbouring County Councils. We’re delighted to support this unique story, that saved motor sport but also put Ireland into an international focus.”
The official launch on Friday 16th June in The Visual, Carlow is open to the public, but registration in advance is essential as places are limited. Those wishing to attend should contact the Visual, Carlow at visualcarlow.ie .
