Biggest American car truck and bike show in Ireland is back
Every year on the last weekend of April all manner of American vehicles descend on Kilbeggan for the annual celebration of American culture that is the Midland American Auto Club’s All-American Car Truck and Bike Show.
The show is back for 2022, and the likes of Mustangs and Corvettes will fill the air with the distinct roar of V8 engines. Flashy convertible Cadillacs and long Lincolns will cruise on in, Harleys will descend en-masse, Kenworths and Peterbilts will dwarf the local roads to put on a multi-coloured show of polished chrome and airbrushed paint. Dodge, Ford and Chevrolet pick up trucks will rumble through the country, all heading to Kilbeggan.
This year there will be something special; something never seen before on Irish roads; a 100-foot-long ‘turntable ladder’ American fire engine. At 56 foot the vehicle is so big it needs a second driver in another cab at the back of the trailer unit to steer the rear wheels to manoeuvre it through the streets.
This particular machine from Long Island and it was on duty during the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on New York.
“We thought we would honour all those who had left us during the last two years, through Covid and other reasons, and honour all the tireless healthcare workers who have looked after everybody during the pandemic and continue to do so,” sid Joe Keenan, the Midland American Auto Club chairman.
“We’re fortunate to have some vintage American fire engines and a good number of sheriff and police cars and tow trucks here in Ireland and they will make a fine sight when they are all lined up on display.
“The fire engines are amazing – painted the traditional red and white, with lots of polished chrome and stainless steel, real gold leaf detailing, and complete with water pumps, red flashing and strobe lights, loud sirens and PA systems.”
Instead of a minute’s silence, the club are planning a big ‘minute of sound’ at 3pm during the show – the fire engine and other emergency vehicle sirens will blast, everybody will be sounding their truck and car horns and revving their engines to remember those gone but not forgotten.
“Four years ago we started a ‘show and tell, interviewing owners of these cars and trucks about their experiences of owning and driving them,” said Nick Stratta, the club public relations officer.
“The first one we did was on the big rig 18-wheeler trucks. The show visitors loved it because it was informative and it brought alive owning and driving those amazing vehicles. This year we will focus on American emergency vehicles and be interviewing a number of the owners. We will also have information boards so visitors can read about the detail of the vehicles.”
There will also be an autojumble, and prospective traders should contact Joe Keenan (details below).
Show admission is €10 per adult and free entry for children under 14. Show cars and occupants get in free too. “They have spent enough on petrol or diesel to get here and they make the show so we welcome them all with open arms,” says Kieran Mullen, club secretary.
The Midland American Auto Club (MAAC for short) has been running for more than 20 years and has membership from the whole island of Ireland and overseas. People come to Kilbeggan from all over the country for the biggest American show of the year at their showgrounds opposite Kilbeggan Racecourse.
The fun starts at 11am and continues until 5.30pm on Sunday April 24.
You can see past shows on the Midland American Auto Club’s You Tube channel.
More information is available through club website www.MAAC-Ireland.com or info@MAAC-Ireland.com, Facebook; www.facebook.com/midland.american.auto.club or speak to Joe Keenan (club chairman) 087 238 8400, Kieran Mullen (club secretary) 087 986 4199 and Nick Stratta (club PRO) 085 828 9922.