History

A Brief History
Founding the Club

Before the Club was formed, Porsche owners in Ireland looked to Region 27, Porsche Club GB, for Porsche club activities and camaraderie, as some Club members still do in addition to the Club. On 9 March 1997 five Irish members of Region 27 drove their Porsches to a meeting at the International Airport Hotel, Dublin: Richard O’Mahony (83 LH 435 3.0), Ken Allen (365 SZU), Ted Gaffney (86 L 297 911 3.2 Carrera), Liam McGuinness (444 DZH 2.7) and Ken Martin (ZV 6089 356). Karen Gaffney and Ivor Murphy were also present. Other than Mr. Martin who has passed, all five founders are current members of the Club.

After the formation meeting, the attendees drove to Newbridge House & Farm, Hearse Rd, Newbridge Demesne, Donabate, Co. Dublin.

All photos couresy of Ted Gaffney.

Mr. O’Mahony assumed the Chair of the group and contacted Volker Spanangle, Porsche Clubs Manager, who managed the Club’s recognition on 15 September 1997 by Dr.-Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG as the 157th Porsche Club in the world.

The Club recognised Mr. Spanangle’s assistance in the Club’s formation by making him the first Honorary Member of the Club in 2004 along with Hans Riedel and Gerdt Müller who were also instrumental in welcoming the Club among the Worldwide Porsche Clubs. At that time Mr. Riedel was a member of the Executive Board: Sales & Marketing of Porsche Automobil Holding SE.

In the years since the Club’s formation membership has grown from the founding five to more than 480 members. Mr. O’Mahony did the heavy lifting in the early years and served as the first President of the Club. Since then, another eight members have held that role.