The 21st Kinsale International Rally was run over 4 days from 7th - 12th May.
117 cars participated of which 12 were
Porsche. Club President Dave Whelan 2.7 Carrera ,
Mark Packham 944,
Christy Smith 3.2 Super sport,
Trevor Smith 3.2 Targa Super sport,
James O Keeffe 944 Turbo,
James Collins 928S,
Denis O Callaghan 911SC,
Keith Bradley 2.5 Boxter,
Owen O Shea 924,
Garrett Dee 2.4S,
Bill Cashman 997 Turbo
Denis Collins 911SC.
Kieran O Callaghan, Barney Lynch and Tony Dunne attended the opening ceremony without their cars. Chris Clarke, Porsche Club GB Motorsport Director also attended. The Swansea Historic Vehicle Register has approx 12 Cars also entered.
The event spanned 4 days and started on Friday with a drive to The Old Head Lighthouse and 112 steps to the light. Afterwards we went Club Chairman Cathal and Cara O Shea’s Garage / Enertainment Hall for refreshments, food and music. Later we attended a Civic Reception hosted by Kinsale Town Council and we were greeted by Mayor Tomas O Brien.
On Saturday the cars gathered on Pierce St., from 7.30am for public viewing and departed at 12 noon for a tour of West Cork and Lunch and them back to Kinsale for a celebration Dinner and Prize giving at Actons Hotel. Christy Smith took the Best Porsche Award and received the Boat House Perpetual Cup. Dave Whelan and Chris Clarke were presented with Rally Plaques in recognition of Porsche Club Ireland and GB attendance at the rally. Dave in turn presented Club Chairman Cathal O Shea with a set of Cork Crystal Porsche Glasses.
On Sunday the Pier Head was closed and the cars were on display until 1.15. The cars departed for a drive and guided Tour of Cork’s Woman’s Prison that closed in 1923 and the Rally then returned to Fields Bar Dunderrow for more food and music. A Dinner was organised at Blue Haven Hotel on Sunday night.
A visitors lunch was held on Monday and a going away party on Monday night at Huntsman Belgooly, for the Welsh visitors.
The weather was be great for the weekend and no breakdowns were reported.
Considering the economic climate the turnout was fantastic and as usual the Kinsale Club did a wonderful job and the rally keeps going from strength to strength.
Porsche Club Ireland would like to thank Kinsale Vintage and Classic Club for the invitation .
Denis Collins
Southern Organiser
