Record numbers of spectators are expected to attend this year’s Foynes Air Show on Sunday, 17th July. It is being billed as the best show yet. The event, now in its third year, takes place on the shores of the Shannon estuary and is hosted by the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum. The site is the home of Ireland’s first transatlantic air crossings, which took place more than 80 years ago.
Foynes has a strong associa-tion with international aviation and has the world’s only Flying Boat Museum featuring the world’s only replica of B314 flying boat. The first airshow began in 2014 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first transatlantic commercial passenger flight across the North Atlantic to Foynes.
Featuring 17 different acts from the UK and Ireland, and involving 26 aircraft, this year’s event will showcase vintage and modern aircraft, as well as unique and hand built planes flown by the best pilots around. Aircraft taking part include a Stolp Stardus-ter and a lovingly restored 1930s Belgian Stampe as well as two Russian mini MIG biplanes. Ireland’s own unique aviation history will be showcased with the ‘Iolar’, Aer Lingus’s first ever plane, which will be flying alongside three vintage de Havilland Chipmunks in Irish Army Aer Corps colours, displaying for the first time ever with their new smoke systems.
A total of four formation flying teams will put on spectacular displays in the skies over west Limerick this year.
Making their debut at this year’s show are Lauren Richardson, the UK’s top female aerobatic pilot, ‘The Wildcats’ a dynamic duo from Norfolk, and ex RAF pilot Richard Goodwin whose performance in a highly modified ‘Muscle’ Pitt’s Special is said to be one of the highlights of the show.
Entertainment starts at 12.30pm with a recital by the Band of An Garda Síochána, followed by lots of activities including carnival amusements, walk-about characters, music, face painting and children’s entertainment. Other activities include an air-sea and cliff rescue and a water safety demonstration. The main air show will begin at 3pm. A park and ride facility will also be in operation.