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Displaying items by tag: FlightFest

#Festivals - If you enjoyed last year's FlightFest on the River Liffey, mark Sunday 20 July on your calendars - as organisers have announced details of this year's Bray Air Display.

The Hunter, the Sabre, the Yaks and the Vampires are all set to make their Bray aerial debut at Ireland’s largest free air show, organised in association with Bray Summerfest and the Irish Aviation Authority.

The free family event attracted a record-breaking 85,000 spectators last year, with similar numbers expected again this summer.

Team Yakovlevs - or the Yaks, as they are affectionately known - are among those making their Bray debut, having entertained millions of people around the world with their precision formation flying.

Their Super 52 two-seater planes will be followed in close formation by three single seater Yak 50 planes.

The Vampires, piloted by Kenneth Aarkvisla and Per ‘Smiley’ Stromme, will be flying their jet fighters from the Second World War, capable of reaching top speeds of 548 miles per hour.

Meanwhile, pilot Mark Linney will be roaring over the skies of Bray in the Sabre, an American fighter jet best known for its high speeds and loud engines.

And the Hunter, flown by Jonathan Whaley, is a British-made fighter from the 1950s, renowned for its loud engines, manoeuvrability and breakneck speeds.

Display director Sé Pardy from Simtech Aviation said: “Once again, Ireland is attracting world-class pilots and aircraft to Bray for the country’s biggest free air show on 20 July.

"For this year’s programme, we’re introducing vintage aircraft, extreme formation flying and search and rescue demonstrations, bringing excitement, aerial acrobatics and thrills to the East Coast.

"We have several new acts making their debut, but we will also be welcoming crowd favourites back to Bray, with aerial action to entertain the whole family.”

Introduced in 1949, the famous MIG 15 was developed by the Soviet Union and was the only aircraft to face the Sabre in combat. This loud, vintage plane will also be making its first appearance at Bray.

The S-92 helicopter, operated by the Irish Coast Guard, will also be welcomed for the first time to Bray. Equipped for dedicated search and rescue (SAR) operations, it services Ireland’s offshore islands and provides rescue cover from Cork to Galway.

Other aircraft making their debut in July include the Stearman 75 and the Decathlon, a two-seater sports plane.

The Bray Air Display is just one of the highlights in the annual Bray Summerfest programme, which runs from 5 July to 14 August 14 subject to licence.

Further aircraft will be announced for the display over the coming weeks, and due to the large crowds expected on the day, spectators are strongly advised to use DART, Dublin Bus and other public transport services as parking restrictions will be in place.

For more on the day's events visit BrayAirDisplay.com.

Published in Maritime Festivals

#FlightFest - Though the weather forecast isn't looking great for the day, organisers of FlightFest on the River Liffey say the full schedule is proceeding as planned for this Sunday 15 September.

The once-in-a-lifetime aviation celebration, in conjunction with The Gathering 2013, will see more than 30 aircraft - old and new - take part in a spectacular low-level fly past to dazzle onlookers in Dublin's Docklands

Thousands are expected to line the quays between the Custom House and Dublin Port for the event on Sunday afternoon from noon till 6pm - which is set to feature the world's largest commercial airliner, the Airbus A380. The full running order of displaying aircraft is available HERE.

As reported yesterday on Afloat.ie, Dublin Bay Cruises is offering a special sailing up the Liffey to get an even closer view of the fly past at the East Link Bridge.

FlightFest is also set to be the last 'farewell' for retiring Naval Service vessel LE Emer, which will be on official patrol duties on the day.

Published in Dublin Bay

Dun Laoghaire Baths Renovation

Afloat has been reporting on the new plans for the publically owned Dun Laoghaire Baths site located at the back of the East Pier since 2011 when plans for its development first went on display by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. 

Foreshore consent was applied for in 2013.

Last used 30 years ago as the 'Rainbow Rapids' before falling into dereliction – the new site does not include a public pool.

The refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths include the existing Baths Pavilion for use as artist workspaces, a gallery café and for the provision of public toilet facilities. 

Work finally got underway at Dún Laoghaire on the €9 million redevelopments of the old Dún Laoghaire Baths site in June 2018 under a contract with SIAC-Mantovani.

The works have removed dilapidated structures to the rear of the Pavilion to permit the creation of a new route and landscaping that will connect the walkway at Newtownsmith to both the East Pier and the Peoples Park. 

Original saltwater pools have been filled in and new enhanced facilities for swimming and greater access to the water’s edge by means of a short jetty have also been provided.

The works included the delivery of rock armour to protect the new buildings from storm damage especially during easterly gales. 

It hasn't all been plain sailing during the construction phase with plastic fibres used in construction washing into the sea in November 2018

Work continues on the project in Spring 2020 with the new pier structure clearly visible from the shoreline.

A plinth at the end of the pier will be used to mount a statue of Roger Casement, a former Sandycove resident and Irish nationalist.