This is a must for all history buffs among you.
In the first of Laois Heritage Society’s programme of talks for 2019, the world famous ‘Portlaoise Plane’ will take centre stage.
Teddy Fennelly and Alan Phelan are giving a talk on the Portlaoise Plane, Aldritts’ Monoplane, at the Midlands park Hotel on Thursday, 28 March at 8pm.
This was the first airplane built in what is now the Republic of Ireland about 110 years ago.
Older Portlaoise residents may remember the wings and fuselage of the plane hung from the rafters in the old Aldritts Garage (now Bankz hair stylists) at Bank Place (Tower Hill) for many years.
The plane went missing for 40 years and was rediscovered in a private transport museum in the south of England in 2012.
Teddy and Alan managed to acquire it and it is now back in Ireland (in a warehouse in Dublin) awaiting restoration.
When it is restored it is hoped that it will be put on display here in Laois.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow night’s talk, Teddy Fennelly explained the significance of bringing the plane back to Ireland.
He said: “This was the plane that inspired Ireland’s most famous aviator, Col James Fitzmaurice to become an airman and is an important part of Irish aviation history.
“The Portlaoise Plane is a unique artefact in Irish aviation history and getting it back to Ireland has been quite an achievement.
“This plane was built here in Portlaoise by local engineers and is a significant part of our history.
“Alan Phelan has done significant work on this and it is our intention to have the plane restored and then put on display in Portlaoise.”
All are welcome. Non-members €3.
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