Recent Events 2011:

Mince Pie Run 2011:

The annual Mince Pie Run took place on December 27th from St. Kevin's Hall Blessington to Tougher's in Naas via a quiz stop in Dunlavin.  Over 75 cars turned up with many club members delighted to get their cars out after last year's event was cancelled due to poor weather. This year was cold but dry and a number of drivers with open-top cars braved the elements. Thanks to Michael D'Arcy and Jim Scott who organised the run.





Donations to Local Community Groups 2011:

Following club fund raising event in August donations were made to Blessington Senior Citizens, St Brigit's Hospital Crooksling, and Baltinglass Day Care Centre by Brian Dempsey and Willie Nash on behalf of club members.





2011 London-Brighton Run

Congratulations to club members Jude and Mairead Connelan who completed the London-Brighton run in their 1903 Oldsmobile Curved-Dash. Another great achievement for a Blessington Club member.

Autumn Run, Sunday 18th September

Fifty Five entrants and over 100 people participated in this years Autumn Run. Rain as we started at Russborough House failed to dampen the spirits. A scenic drive through Wicklow and Kildare followed with a lunch stop in Athy. Before heading to "The Garden" Ballintubbert near Stradbally Co. Laois where we enjoyed a tranquil stroll through the gardens and finished with our traditional tea and sandwiches.

Gordon Bennett 2011

The club was well represented in the 2011 Gordon Bennett event, and this year the teams of Keith Pearson and navigator Tony Clarke in their 1913 KRIT and Colin Dunne and navigator Paul Clarke in their 1926 Chevrolet National came home with the first prizes in the B and C1 classes respectively. Congratulations to all concerned.

Irish Classic Vintage & Motor Show 2011 and visit of the East Antrim Old Vehicle Club

The highlight of the weekend visit of the East Antrim Old Vehicles club to the Blessington Vintage Car & Motorcycle Club was the annual Irish Jaguar and Daimler club's Irish Classic & Vintage Motor show in Terenure college, Dublin on Sunday the 3rd of July. The only thing warmer than the midday sun was the warmth and atmosphere on the joint Blessington and East Antrim club stand.

The visit began the previous Friday afternoon when twelve cars from East Antrim had  journeyed by return invitation of  the Blessington club to share a weekend of driving and socializing with their kindred hosts. The welcome began  on their arrival in Naas. Introductions made, dinner was shared and tale's of  car shows, car restorations and the annual  East Antrim  Cavalcade followed into the early hours. The next morning, members from the Blessington club escorted their guests to Blessington and on a historical walking tour of the town. Followed by a tour of nearby Russborough  House  and its new   photographic exhibition. Then it was off on a scenic drive  through  Wicklow and Kildare taking in some of the original Gordon Bennett route.The convoy stopped briefly at the Moat of Ardschull on route  to Newbridge to the  view the' Museum of Style Icons' at Newbridge Silverware.

Nearly ninety vintage and classic cars and trucks of all makes and models with both Irish and Northern registrations, parked gleaming' bumper to bumper' on Sunday at the show. Men from Antrim and from Blessington stood in small groups and huddled under the bonnets of cars. Their accents different, but their stories the same.

As the sun went down on the day and the weekend. The Blessington and East Antrim stand was awarded the coveted ' Best Club Stand' at the show . Blessington stalwart Harry Cole took the trophy for 'Best Post war car' for his 1951 MG YA. But the real winners that day, were the friendships forged between classic car enthusiasts from East Antrim and the Blessington Vintage Car & Motorcycle club.

AGM 2011 Club Person of the Year

At the 2011 club AGM in the Avon Ri Hotel, long standing club member John Dunne was presented with the Club Person of the Year award 2011.