Two new books chronicling the rich history of Irish rallying have just been released in time for Christmas.
‘Legends All’ by Patrick Buckley is a deeply personal account of his father Ger Buckley’s illustrious rally career.
Ger, a two-time Irish National Rally Champion, balanced a demanding career behind the wheel with family life and business ownership.
Five-time Circuit of Kerry Rally winner Ger Buckley with one of the first copies of ‘Legends All’ penned by his son Patrick. Photo: Buckley Family
Ger Buckley, from Banteer, in north Cork was a five-time Circuit of Kerry Rally winner and the 1980 Rally of the Lakes winner.
The book captures what Patrick considers the “Golden Era of Rallying,” featuring not just Ger’s achievements, but also the stories of his fellow drivers and the vibrant rally scene of the time.
Proceeds from the sale of ‘Legends All’ will benefit Brain Injury Ireland, a cause close to the Buckley family.
The book is available at various locations throughout Ireland, including locally at Tomo Burke’s Electrical in Castleisland.
Orders can also be placed directly via email at legendsallbook@gmail.com.
Legendary TV broadcaster Alan “Plum” Tyndall has also released his latest work, ‘Circuit Brakers’.
This 154-page, full-colour book delves captures the history of the Circuit of Ireland Rally, from 1978 to 2024, the years that Tyndall would have covered the rally for RTE, UTV and RPM.
‘Circuit Brakers’ charts the rise and fall of this legendary rally.
Readers will be transported back to the late 1970s when iconic cars like the Ford Escort RS1800 battled it out with the Vauxhall HSRs and Opel Ascona 400s. The book chronicles the sport’s “golden age” fuelled by sponsorship from Rothmans Rallying, and the arrival of awe-inspiring Group B supercars like the MG Metro 6R4s and Audi Quattros.
‘Circuit Brakers’ also explores the changing landscape of Irish rallying. As drivers like Bertie Fisher and Austin MacHale rose to prominence, the sport transitioned from Group A to World Rally Cars.
However, with increased car performance came a decrease in mileage, leading to a debate about whether the modern ‘Circuit of Ireland’ truly lives up to its name.
The Circuit of Ireland Rally last visited Kerry in 1983 so the first few chapters will be of interest to local fans.
More recently local co-drivers, Dermot O’Gorman, Paul Nagle and Noel O’Sullivan have all won the more condensed Easter classic.
The book is available for purchase online at https://rpm-motorsport.com/store/
Just as newspapers and magazines are paid for, digital editorial content will also have to be paid for.
Please subscribe and help us keep this machine running!
It’s only €50 per year – subscribe now
Subscribe to get access
Read more of this content when you subscribe today.
Kerry Motorsport News 