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Our June drive attracted 13 cars and 18 people from 4 counties. As usual we departed from Topaz, Kinsale Road and headed to Mid Cork mountains. It was a glorious day and we had clear blue skies all day. Our 1st stop was at the Kilmichael Ambush Site where our President Dave Whelan gave us a brief history lesson on how the ambush took place. General Tom Barry had soldiers placed on all sides of the road and when Black & Tans rounded the corner they were trapped and were unable to escape. The group of 13 were all killed. Dave explained that it is the perfect ambush site and is studied by Army acadamdies all round the world. ( On my programme to I mistakenly called it the Michael Collins ambush site, this of course is at Beal Na Blaith) I need to have some local history lessons.

We they travelled through some of the most beautiful driving roads in Cork on the way to Gougane Bearra and then on through the Pass of Keimineagh and the Sea View Hotel in Ballylickey for Lunch. Kathleen O Sullivan Proprietor told us that many Car clubs from all over Ireland and England use the hotel as a touring base including Rolls Royce Club. Kathleen’s brother Cormac and his son travelled from Dublin to welcome us and took a very keen interest in our cars ranging from an original short chassis 911 to 997 Turbo. They videoed the cars as they left the hotel and we also has a Red Car Photo Shoot.

The location was like South of France and Bantry Bay with its Micro Climate was just the best place on earth to be. Just up the road in Garnish Island the world famous Italian Gardens are situated in Glengafiffe Bay where tropical plants thrive on the effects of the Gulf Stream. We hope visit these gardens in the future.

After lunch we travelled through Ballydehob, Skibbereen and on to Sams Cross, birth place of General Michael Collins. Major Whelan again used his army training and gave a brief history lesson on this historic site. Next stop was the Ford Memorial Site in Ballinascarty were Henry Fords father was born and there is a Full Size Replica Model T in stainless steel on display. The group then headed home and a big thanks to everybody for making this a memorable day and also to Bill and William Cashman for their wonderfull photography. These will appear shortly on our Club site

Hope to see you all again on our July Drive to Kerry .

Denis Collins

Southern Organiser

Porsche Club Ireland


19/06/2010