Italian 100 & Targa Sligo

Most of the visiting entrants assembled in the Yeats Country Hotel on the Friday evening. The car park was adorned with Italian cars for all makes and models. Spirits where high and the weather was set to hold for the following day and the Targa Sligo Run.

Saturday 29th August – Targa Sligo;

The run left the hotel car park at 10:30am, and was led out by a local Ferrari 599 Fiorano, followed by 29 cars. The first stop was Drumcliff church and cemetery, the final resting place of the poet W.B Yeats. From there the route traveled via Lissadell Estate, the family home of Countess Markievicz, onto the Gleniff Horseshoe loop. This provided spectacular views of Mullaghmore and the adjoining coast line, south to Sligo and north to Donegal. The cars then heading down into Mullaghmore for a quick stop off at the pier. The sun made an appearance, which sparked the consumption of many “99’s”.
The route followed the coast road around Mullaghmore head, which coincidentally was the last special stage of the 2007 WRC Rally Ireland event.
On to the lunch stop at Henry’s. (very enjoyable)
After lunch the group moved into Co. Leitrim, and visited Glencar waterfall. Apart for the wonderful natural scenery, we managed to pick up a bit more Italian beauty, as we were joined by the members of the Northern Ireland Italian Motor Club. The tour then travelled in the N16, which provided beautiful views of Benbulben Mountain sweeping down into Drumcliff & Sligo Bay. Next stop was Parkes Castle on the Sligo / Leitrim border. The Castle sits on the shore of Lough Gill. This lake is world renowned due to its association with WB Yeats famous poem, “The lake isle of Innisfree”. The group moved from road to water, taking a pleasure cruise abroad the “Rose of Innisfree” with George and Tina.
A very enjoyable end to a good day touring.
The group returned to Rosses Point for the evening meal. Cyril McMullen of the NIIMC, graciously gave an after dinner address, in which he thanked CFI for their hospitality and the hosting of this year’s Italian 100.

Sunday 30th August – Italian 100 Show
With most of the preparation work carried out on Friday (thank you to members who helped), our show venue, Sligo Airport, looked great. The club was sporting its new club banner and FIAT “blue and white” bunting. Show cars started to arrive from 10:30 onwards. Many, including event originator, Fintan Kemple, commented on the vast spectrum of cars of all different makes and models on display. There was 89 cars in total over the day, with more than one or two making their first public appearance since restoration. Even though the main show was held on the car park, one CFI member was so worried about his “pride and joy” he managed to “garage it” within the terminal building! This proved to be a great bit of marketing genius (credit the Chairman), as the Dante Giacosa’s little masterpiece drew more than a passing glance to our main sponsor’s, Henderson Garage Doors, operational display.

Everybody who attended was looked after with complementary gifts and meal vouchers. Our catering needs were kindly met by the great volunteers from our nominated charity for the day, Sligo Branch of the Irish Kidney Association (thanks to Michael, Eileen, Lorraine, Sinead, Marie and the other members of the IKA).
We’re delighted to inform all, that a total of €1230 was raised for the IKA on the day, through kind donations and the raffle proceeds.

The other big occasion on the day was the awarding of the various prizes. Our congratulations again to all the prize winners
Car of Show  – Gerry Campbell; Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider.
Best original Irish registered Car – Enda Carney; Fiat 132
Best Classic Car – Frank O’Dwyer; Fiat 124 CC Coupe
Most unique vehicle – Paul & Andy Perich; Fiat 900T Amigo
Furtherest Travelled – Phil & Lorraine Morris: Preston, UK; Fiat X 1/9

AH1 AH2 AH3 AH4 AH5 AH6 AH7 AH8 AH9 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 001 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 002 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 003 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 004 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 005 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 006 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 007 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 008 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 013 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 014 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 015 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 016 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 017 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 018 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 019 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 020 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 021 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 022 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 023 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 024 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 025 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 026 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 027 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 028 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 029 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 030 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 031 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 032 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 034 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 035 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 036 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 037 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 038 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 039 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 040 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 041 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 042 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 043 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 047 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 050 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 051 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 054 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 055 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 056 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 057 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 058 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 059 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 060 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 061 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 062 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 063 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 064 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 065 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 066 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 067 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 068 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 069 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 070 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 071 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 072 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 073 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 074 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 075 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 076 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 077 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 078 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 079 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 080 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 082 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 084 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 085 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 087 Italian 100 2015 Sligo 089 July - August 2015 014 July - August 2015 038 mm1 mm2 mm3 mm4 mm5 mm7 mor1 mor2 pm1 tl1 tl2 tl3 tl4 tl5 tl6 tl7 tl8 tl9 tl10 tl11