On Sunday, August 7th 1955, a crowd of approximately 1,500 people gathered on the banks of the Inny River to watch the sports and aquatic events.

Abbeyshrule Sports was one of the big annual events in the Midlands during the 40's and 50's. For this particular Sunday in August the posters and advertisements in the local papers read 'Abbeyshrule Sports and Air Display'.

At 4 p.m. three World War 2 Tiger Moth aeroplanes (from the Irish Aero Club), flying in formation, arrived overhead to give a spectacular display of loops, rolls, stall turns, etc. The highly skilled pilots flying those machines on that day were Capt. P. W. 'Darby' Kennedy, David Montgomery and George Donohue.

Ironically, the present 600 metre tarmac runway is laid on the same field where that crowd gathered to watch the birth of aviation in Abbeyshrule.

I am glad to say that boyhood dreams of flying aircraft have become a reality for myself and many others.

In 1956, a lot of hard work went into the preparation of a new venue for the airshow, and on August 5th a crowd estimated at 6,000 (largely pedestrians and cyclists) paid two shillings admission to see the first parachute descent by Fred Bond, -  the first lady pilot, Rosemary Kennedy, spinning her aircraft from 5,000 ft., -  and the first display by an Irish Air Corps Off icer, Capt. Quinn, flying a Provost.

The display was officially opened by General Sean McKeon and the total gate receipts amounted to £682.00. Two other pilots of that era come to mind - Dave 'Monkey' Morgan and Barry Egan.

The 1957 Air Show provided thrilling aerobatics, this time a massed parachute descent by Fred Bond, Vic Williams and Norman Hoffman. Model flying was intro- duced for the first time, and joy flights were available at ten shillings a time in an eight- seater De Havilland Dragon.

Flying eased off for a number of years in the 60's, but a few enthusiasts were determined to revive it. In 1970 Abbeyshrule Aero Club was formed, a Rallye trainer aircraft was purchased and flying was available to all interested. Demand for flying lessons was such that queueing or booking was the order of the day. Voluntary instructors were kept busy until the arrival of a full time instructor in the spring of '72. This man, John Barkel, was an ex-RAF Wing Commander. Soon the P.P.L.s (Private Pilot's Licence) were being issued.

There were bigger things to come for Abbeyshrule.The Airshows were making the headlines, and year by year the standard was raised. World class acrobatic pilots led thousands of spectators with outstanding displays in Pitts Specials, Zlins, Robins, Tiger Moths, Stampes and Falcos. Speed and noise were provided by such famous aeroplanes as the Hawker Hunter Fighter (Air Speed Record of 723 m.p.h.in 1957), The Spitfire (Battle of Britain fame), the Sea Fury (Fastest Propeller Fighter) and the Fouga jets of the Irish Air Corps. Other memorable feats were low passes by Aer Lingus 747 Jumbo and a One Eleven jet by Ryanair.

Great credit for the success of flying in Abbeyshrule must go to the organisers, pilots, flying instructors, sponsors, land owners and the local people. I must include ,specially the pioneers of aviation in Abbeyshrule. Sadly, many of them have passed on but they will always be remembered by everyone associated with flying in the Midlands.