The story of how a pilot and yachtsman chartered a jet to view the Round Ireland yacht race is the theme of the next talk hosted by the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers’ Association.
John Leahy decided to charter a British Airways 737 jet in 1986 and put a party of 100 passengers together to fly over the race.
As the racing fleet approached the Fastnet Rock of Cork’s south-west coast on June 21st, 1986, the jet was there to view it, flying at low level.
It is said that Leahy was “flying up Mount Brandon” in Kerry, and the plane made several passes over the race.
The plane flew around the Skelligs and up as far as Sligo on the west coast, before returning to Dublin Airport for a regular flight to London.
The association says that some film footage was recorded which will “feature in John’s account of a most amazing and unique flight”.
Entitled “The Flight of Fantasy”, Leahy’s illustrated talk takes place at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club on Thursday, January 15th, at 8pm.
Donations to the RNLI can be made at the door, and the advice is to “come early” to be sure of a seat.
