Centenary of Free State's first motorcycle race marked in Dunshaughlin

Plaque unveiled at Clarke's Bridge

The centenary of the first motorcycle road race held in the Irish Free State in 1923 on the roads around the Dunshaughlin has been commemorated by Dunshaughlin and District Road Racing Supporters Club.

A plaque has been unveiled on ‘Clarkes Bridge’ commemorating the first time such an event was held south of the border in 1923, with many club members and locals in attendance at the unveiling.

That first road race included names such as Graham Walker, father of Murray Walker, who became the voice and face of Formula One commentary, and Stanley Woods, the first Republic of Ireland winner of the famous TT race on the Isle of Man, who finished third.

The event was a labour of love for local man, George Tugwell, who, with the backing of the club and Dunshaughlin Historical Society, dedicated the event to all those who have participated in motorcycling road racing, and to those who sadly have passed away in the pursuit of fulfilling their dreams in competing at the various circuits both at home and abroad over the last 100 years.

A Meath Chronicle report of the original race in 1923 was headlined 'Great Trial Over Meath Roads - 100 Miles in 100 Minutes'.

It read: "That quiet stretch of country embraced by the triangular roads from Corbalton Cross to Ratoath, across to Dunshaughlin and back to Corbalton, was all alive on Saturday last, on the occasion of the 100-Mile Motor Cycle Road Race (Handicap), organsied by the Leinster Motor Cycle and Light Car Club. From all quarters came motor cycle enthusiasts to witness what was recognised as a leading speed test."

The report continued that Belfast competitors made their headquarters in Navan, while others took Dublin as their the base of operations.

Of the 64 entrants, 52 faced the starter, including a 'semi-local man', R Murphy, on a Ric-Triumph. He completed the course, coming in tenth, doing the 100 miles in an hour, six munutes, and 15 seconds, thus qualifying for a gold medal.

The winner, Norman P Metcalfe, on a Brough-Superior, did the journey in a one hour, 41 minutes, and 23 seconds. The best time was done by G Walker on a Norton, who was only 25 seconds beyond the mile a minute standard.

"As the competitors who completed the course slowed up a good deal at the turns, there is no doubt in places over 70 miles an hour was done," the report continues.

The three turns were somewhat difficult and there were some spills, but the only serious accident toook place on the straight at a bridge, where HG Ellecker got a nasty fall in the first lap, was unconscious for some time and had to be removed to a Dublin hospital.

George Tugwell explained that for the following three renewals of the race, a different route was used, starting at Berrillstown on the Navan Road, heading for Dunshaughlin, and then out the Skryne/Bog Road around to Oberstown Cross. It then moved to the Phoenix Park for two years before returning to Dunshaughlin in 1929.

The Dunshaughlin commemoration event was was made all the more poignant in light of the recent death of club member and rider, Duleek-man Alan Connor at the Southern 100, and he was remembered at the unveiling.

The Leinster Motor Club provided a collection of trophies to put on display, including the original Leinster 100 trophy, which is over 170 years old, and for the last 100 years has been the iconic trophy presented to the winner of the event.

Winning names include the late Joey Dunlop, Eddie Laycock, Con Law, Alastair Seeley, Derek Sheils and Brian McCormack.

Following the unveiling of the plaque by George Tugwell, and his brother Noel, chairperson of the Dunshaughlin and District Road Racing Club, along with Philip Benson, club president, the gathering returned to a tented paddock for refreshments.

The occasion also marked the 25th anniversary of Dunshaughlin and District Road Racing Supporters Club, who have supported many local names to race in the famous black and amber colours on machinery supplied by the club, including Philip Benson, Neil Lyons, James Cotterell, and Liam Chawke.

The evening belonged to the Dunshaughlin residents, the club and to the people of Meath, in recognising their place in the sporting history and heritage of motorcycle sport in this country.