Vintage cars on tour of Down

Vintage cars on tour of Down

31 August 2022

A NUMBER of local towns and villages were visited by members of the Vintage Austin Register in their fleet of iconic classic cars recently.

The Register was founded in 1958 by enthusiasts who were keen to record and preserve remaining examples of the well known and much-loved car.

The members’ meet and greet started at McKee’s Restaurant near Newtownards with car owners from England, Scotland and Ireland enjoying breakfast on a lovely, sunny morning on August 10 at the start of a three-day event.

It was then off along the Ards Peninsula to Portaferry and crossing on the ferry to Strangford for the drive to Downpatrick and on to Clough before stopping for lunch in Seaforde at the popular Mulberry Tree. 

Car owners then drove the short distance to Slieve Croob which presented a challenge for some of the oldest vehicles to reach the summit along a private mountain road reaching up to 755 feet. And  practically all the cars made it to the top.

Next stop was Newcastle’s Burrendale Hotel with the journey taking drivers through some stunningly scenic areas and, following an evening meal, they were entertained by Willie Drennan and a few members of his Ulster Scots Orchestra to complete a busy first day.

The second day was graced with beautiful weather with car owners spending 90 minutes exploring Newcastle before enjoying the beauty of the Mournes as they made their way to Annalong.

The visitors stopped at Carrick Cottage, a delightful, hikers’ retreat at the foot of the Mournes and, after lunch, the cavalcade made its way to Greencastle to board the ferry for Greenore in Co Louth. 

Car owners enjoyed the trip around the Cooley Peninsula and spent the afternoon in Meath before retiring to the Granvue Hotel.

Next morning, with the good weather continuing, they climbed to the top of the Cooley Mountains and admired the views and tested the brakes, 

proceeding to the Flagstaff viewpoint, before motoring to Newry.

It was then on to Warrenpoint, where members said goodbye to some of their southern visitors, before continuing to Rostrevor and over the mountain to Hilltown at the back of the Mournes for a late lunch at Montalto Restaurant at Ballynahinch.  

The next stop was in Ballygowan at a museum where curator Raymond Walls opened up his  incredible collection of motoring memorabilia acquired over 50 years.

Members said their goodbyes to their English and Scottish visitors as they proceeded to the Liverpool and Stena ferries and hope everyone enjoyed the memorable centenary event in Ireland.