‘The Lady Who Flew Africa: The Aviatrix’, a documentary retracing the first ever solo flight from Cape Town to London, will be shown on BBC 4 this Friday at 12 midnight. Tracey Curtis-Taylor sets out in a vintage biplane to recreate Sophie Peirce’s (aka Lady Mary Heath) adventurous 1928 journey from South Africa to Croydon.
Born in Knockaderry, Sophie came to live in what is now the AIB building in The Square, Newcastle West.
The film will be of interest to many people in West Limerick, both from an historical viewpoint and as an insight into this fascinating woman.
Along with Charlotte Grace O’Brien of Cahirmoyle (who assisted female emigrants in the 19th Ccentury) and Limerick author Kate O’Brien, Sophie was recently honoured with a civic reception organised by Limerick City and County Council and the University of Limerick.