Written by Chamber Press Office | 06 June 2009

Friday 12 June

7pm
Clifden Station House Hotel

Launch of Alcock

& Brown Exhibition

 by Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill

Saturday 13 June

12noon
Clifden Station House Hotel

On a Wing and a Prayer with Marcus

by Michael Gibbons. A lecture on aerial archaeology in Connaught in honour of Marcus Casey.

2pm

Connemara Air Show- CLIFDEN BEACH

The climax of the weekend – the Connemara skies will open up with spectacular aeronautical displays over Clifden Bay. Featured acts will include the Air Corps Pilatus PC9s and the Casa 235, The Blades, Team Viper, Team Guinot and the replica Vickers Vimy. There will also be displays from Dave Bruton, Gerry Humphreys and Jimmy Griffin. Helicopter rides with Executive Helicopters and the Army Ground Display will ensure a family fun filled day. Entertainment on site will also be provided by the Air Corps Piper Band and The Western Brigade Army Brass Band.

8pm

Clifden Station House

Yesterday we were in America-Book Launch

"The most significant addition of knowledge of the Alcock & Brown flight since the event itself"

 

YESTERDAY WE WERE IN AMERICA by award-winning author Brendan Lynch is the first accurate account of one of aviation’s most significant flights - the first non-stop transatlantic flight by John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown in June, 1919 from Newfoundland to Ireland.

During their 16-hour journey, the fliers survived continuous cloud, snow and ice, a non-functioning wireless and a near-fatal stall.

With no modern aids and depending solely on Dead Reckoning, they landed only 20 miles north of their target destination – after a flight of 1880 miles, the longest distance ever covered by man.

The first people to reach the fliers refused to believe that they had crossed the ocean. “We are Alcock and Brown. Yesterday we were in America,” the pilot reiterated. 

John Alcock was the first person to make that statement in Europe.

Author of five books, Brendan Lynch is a former racing cyclist, driver, Grand Prix reporter and contributor to media ranging from The Irish Times to the London Times, The Observer and The European. A follower of the pacifist philosopher, Bertrand Russell, he was imprisoned in London during the 1960s Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

He researched the new book on both sides of the Atlantic, interviewing Clifden’s Harry Sullivan, who witnessed the Vimy’s arrival, and the late Steve Fossett, who replicated the flight in 2005. The book dispels many popular myths about the historic flight and represents the greatest contribution to knowledge of Alcock and Brown since they landed 90 years ago on Sunday, June 15 on Derrygimla bog.

John Alcock’s nephew, Group Captain A J H Alcock, MBE, described YESTERDAY WE WERE IN AMERICA as; “A comprehensive and exciting account of one of the greatest feats of early aviation completed by two determined and courageous pioneers.” 

Foreword writer Len Deighton concluded; “Brendan Lynch, in this excellent book, tells their story with the skill of a dedicated researcher and the talent of a popular novelist. YESTERDAY  is a very fine book.”  

ends

(Brendan Lynch's other books and contact may be seen on brendanlynchbooks.com) 

SIGNED COPIES OF "YESTERDAY WE WERE IN AMERICA" WILL BE AVAILABLE AT A SPECIAL PRICE AT THE LAUNCH

First review;

Books Ireland (excerpt);

…..Lynch has done a super research job, and tells the whole story entertainingly and accurately, not sparing the sensationalist aspects, with details of the fore-runners and competitors, and of the subsequent lionising of the heroes. We enjoyed this immensely.

 

Jeremy Addis, Editor 

 followed by

Gala Dinner Dance- Clifden Station House

Tickets €45
To reserve your place please call 087 0520295.