Kerry: The Car Culture Capital of Ireland
I had an interesting conversation with Nathan McDonald, the president of Tralee Chamber of Commerce, recently.
A car man to the core, he believes that County Kerry could become the car and motoring capital of Ireland and that the county could be promoted as a car culture destination.
He was speaking in the context of major events like the Rally of the Lakes and the Killarney Historic Rally.
But he was also including other events, like those put on by the very active Vintage Clubs and the recently announced Ballyfinnane Festival of Speed.
Add in BikeFest, the Circuit of Kerry, the Killarney Forestry Rally and the Ring of Kerry Vintage run and it becomes an even bigger prospect.
Last week a group of Dutch Porsche enthusiasts were touring the Killarney area. Several UK-registered Italian Supercars were spotted on the Dingle Peninsula over the June Bank Holiday weekend.
The Cannonball Run is due back in Killarney in September and Killgarvan is home to a very interesting motor museum.
The county has hosted motor cycle races in the last, autotesting returns in July and what about the great tradition of autocross.
Could we ask if the local branch of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, the collective town chambers and the many motor clubs in the county could knock their heads together and create the ‘Car Culture County Capital of Ireland’.
This idea was first published in the June 16 issue of the Killarney Advertiser but re-published here to put it in front of a car audience.
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