We started our drive from Topaz Frankfield with 12 cars. Big thanks to Jimmy Murphy from Kilkenny, Andy Lambert and Paul Sullivan from Waterford who made a big effort to come to Cork. We travelled east to Middleton and turned north travelling a lovely driving road through Ballincurrig and on to Rathcormac and Fermoy. Two miles outside Fermoy we stopped to meet up with Mike Carey and who should we meet up with but a group of Porsche Tractor collectors Dan Ryan, John, Ray and Jason O Toole from Wexford who were on their way to Killavullen to collect another Porsche tractor. Dan has 3 and John has 8, which must be a record. John has almost as many tractors as Dave Whelan has 911’s. This is still a very small world. We shared some stories and Bill took photos and eventually we followed Mike to Ballyhooly in his 450 BHP Cosworth. Mike lives on a farm, the family and Mike’s Dog were amazed to see the yard filling with Porsches .
Mike is presently building a Covin Porsche Turbo 911 Replica that was an unfinished project. He is fitting a 2lt Audi 16V engine with190 bhp to a body that is only 750 kg so he will have some serious performance with 250 bhp/ton. The finished car will be painted in Rothmans Racing colours which will turn some heads. Mike is one of life’s genuine NICE GUYS and a talented engineer who has many inventions/ patents to his name. We salute your ingenuity. We also met Trevor Mitchell who owns the Kilgarvan Motor Museum in Co Kerry, at Mikes when he arrived in his 911 Targa 2.2E and Billy Mulqueen of Irish Mini Owners Club. Trevor invited us to visit his Museum later this year. His Collection has 30 cars.
Mike then led us to Castletownroche the home town of famous Jockey and trainer John Joe O Neill and on to the spectacular Blackwater Castle to meet Patrick Nordstroem the owner. Patrick is a petrol head through and through and is the proud owner of a Ferrari Testarossa 512 5Lt flat 12 a Ferrari 430 V12 coupe 2+2, a vintage 6 cyl Mercedes saloon and a 79 Porsche 911SC Targa and a Honda motorcycle.
Patrick hails from Finland and has a tremendous love of Ireland and its history. We gave us the history of the castle which dates back to 800’s when it was first constructed . The Norman tower was constructed in 1500’s and is one of the finest left in Ireland. The buildings were then destroyed by Cromwell and rebuilt in 1800’s with further renovations continued by Patrick’s father. Patrick is now the custodian of this beautiful Irish landmark.
After viewing Patrick’s collection he invited us to park on the lawn for some photos. Bill Cashman ( Aka Lord Lichfield) took some memorable shots. We were then treated to lunch and apple juice produced on the estate by Partick aptly named and labelled, Blackwater Castle Apple Juice Porsche Green Fuel. All the participants were presented with a bottle to take home.
We presented Patrick with a piece of Gerald Mc Cathy glass to mark our Clubs visit to this historic castle.
A Big thanks to Mike and Patrick for having us. Our group had a most enjoyable day. Owning a Porsche has many other advantages other than enjoying driving. You get to meet some fascinating people and get to visit places you otherwise would never encounter.
Denis Collins
South West Region Organiser
Porsche Club Ireland.