Launching the Midlands Volkswagen (MLVW) Car Show, at Columb Barracks on June 28 were, (from left) club members Hugh O'Reilly (owner of the white Golf GTI); Joy and Alan Ryan, with two-year-old Nathan, Ryan's Auto Services, sponsor; and Richard Allen, Midland Auto Accessories, sponsor.

Vw fans host their first event in the midlands

Published: Wed 17 Jun 2015, 7:36 AM

There is something about Volkswagens that inspires people to love them. It could be the venerable Beetle, a small car with a big character that many have fond memories of.

Whatever the reason, there are thousands of young drivers, not even alive when the Beetle was common on Irish roads, who have a devotion to VW, and their club in this area, Midlands Volkswagen (MLVW), is hosting an event at Columb Barracks on Sunday June 28.

Club member Alan Ryan says this will be their first time to host a Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) car show and they are looking forward to seeing the enthusiasts they have met on trips to other VAG shows across the country.

“The idea is to bring all the friends in the Volkswagen community to the midlands,” says Alan.

“We go to shows north and south and now it’s our turn to hold a show.”

The hosts are hoping the visitors will come and make a weekend of it and see what the midlands has to offer.

They expect good numbers of VWs as well as other VAG marques – Audis, Seats, Škodas – to bring their vehicles for display and to take part in the show and shine competition.

Alan says this type of show is “all about the cars and the people”.

Only VAG vehicles are allowed to participate in the display (the charge for them is €10 per car, with driver and one passenger) and there is a €5 walk-in charge for anyone who’s curious to see what’s going on at the barracks that day.

Though families are welcome, there won’t be entertainment for children (apart from admiring the cars), but there will be food vendors.

Gates open at 11am on Sunday June 28 and the event runs till 5pm. Exhibitors will have access from 9am and cars are to be on display by 11am.

MLVW would like to thank the event sponsors, who are (in alphabetical order): Friar Tuck, Ballymore; Lakeland Carriage Company, Mullingar; McNamee’s Garage, Ballymore; Mick Lenehan Motor Factors, Mullingar; Midland Auto Accessories; Mullingar Autos; Robbie’s Tyres, Mullingar; and Ryan’s Auto Garage.