Hidden Treasures - Alcock and Brown

Hidden Treasures – Alcock and Brown

Alcock and Brown 100 Festival to uncover hidden treasures telling the remarkable story of the first ever non-stop transatlantic flight with unique artefacts exhibition

The Alcock and Brown 100 Festival will display a range of amazing pieces from across the globe which highlight different aspects of the story behind one of the greatest achievements in aviation history

The Alcock and Brown 100 Festival are set to offer visitors exclusive access to never seen before artefacts revealing the incredible story behind the first ever non-stop transatlantic flight with a special exhibition not to be missed.

Taking place in Clifden, Connemara from June 11th to 16th, this diverse festival celebrates the untold story of British aviation heroes Sir John Alcock and Sir Arthur Whitten-Brown 100 years on after they successfully completed the first ever transatlantic flight in history. Among the top highlights sure to enthral both young and old is the Alcock and Brown Artefacts Exhibition.

Visitors can see first-hand parts of the plane still in existence in addition to many other treasured items collected from across the world, with each piece uniquely revealing the neglected story of one of the most epic feats of transatlantic flight. Organisers have gathered together a wide range of interesting artefacts connected to the Alcock and Brown site in Derrigimlagh bog, Connemara that have been found around Clifden over the years or donated by many local residents also.

Organisers are still asking anyone who might own items of interest for this exhibition to donate them to the festival.

Festival Chairman Terence O’Toole explained: “The original plane itself is in the Science Museum but, it’s not all there! Over the years, many pieces of the plane have turned up in or have visited Clifden; the home of the landing. Of course, there are many other pieces around the world but for these items at least, we have easier access than many.”

Among the items on display are individual parts of the Vickers Vimy Plane still in existence, boots worn by Arthur Whitten Brown and a steel wheel of the Marconi car that took Alcock and Brown from the Marconi station to the Main Road. The landing site in Derrigimlagh bog, Clifden was coincidentally the site of Guglielmo Marconi’s Wireless Station, the site of the first ever commercial transatlantic wireless transmission.

Attendees will also have unique access to rare photos of the plane at the landing site in Clifden, with  a special collection of 6 photos of the aircraft in the bog taken by Royal Air Force Pilot Bill Urquhart Dykes. There will also be an original framed copy of The New York Times from June 16th 1919, in which the front page details Alcock and Brown’s monumental achievement.

The exhibition will be open throughout the duration of the festival. The festival will see a string of theatrical productions, remembrance events, live re-enactments, competitions , mesmerising street entertainment and much more take place in the majestic surroundings of the West of Ireland. For more information about Alcock & Brown 100 Festival, see the official website https://alcockandbrown100.com/. Follow Alcock & Brown 100 on Facebook ( Alcock & Brown 100) and Instagram (alcockandbrown100).

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