Galway Airport came alive with the sound of light aircraft engines and the buzz of aviation enthusiasts on Saturday as Galway Flying Club hosted a special Breakfast Fly-In to celebrate its 80th Anniversary.
Founded in 1946, Galway Flying Club is the oldest continuously operating flying club in Ireland and has been based at Galway Airport, Carnmore, since the mid-1970s. The anniversary fly-in marked a significant milestone in the Club’s history and provided what may prove to be a rare opportunity for pilots from around the country to visit Galway Airport by air.
Special permission was granted to allow visiting aircraft to fly into the airport for the event, with pilots required to pre-book arrival slots due to operational restrictions. Interest in the event was exceptional, with the available slots heavily oversubscribed well in advance of the day. Galway Flying Club had originally advised that arrivals could only be accepted at five-minute intervals, highlighting both the demand for the event and the professionalism required to manage such a large gathering safely.
Fortunately, the weather played its part. High overcast cloud and light southerly winds provided excellent flying conditions, making for comfortable journeys from all corners of Ireland. For many visiting pilots, it was their first ever landing at Galway Airport, resulting in what many described as a particularly memorable and important entry in their logbooks.
Visitors were welcomed with a hearty breakfast, while all proceeds from the event were donated to Galway Hospice, continuing Galway Flying Club’s long-standing tradition of supporting community causes. Every visiting pilot was also presented with a commemorative event poster to mark the occasion. The celebrations included the cutting of a specially produced 80th Anniversary cake, providing a fitting centrepiece for the day’s festivities.
Aircraft arrived throughout the morning from clubs and owners across the country. Among the notable visitors was the beautifully restored Aer Lingus DH84 Dragon Iolar (EI-ABI), which arrived following a fly-past commissioned for aerial photography alongside Maule EI-GER. Also attracting plenty of attention was Aer Arann Islands Britten-Norman Islander EI-AYN.
Rotary-wing aviation was represented by Robinson R44 helicopter EI-NJA, while several gyroplanes made the trip to Galway including EI-PWC, EI-EHK and EI-GIO.
Flying clubs from around Ireland were well represented, demonstrating the strong sense of community within Irish general aviation. Aircraft attending included representatives from Limerick Flying Club (EI-JPK, EI-LFC and EI-BJK), Sligo Aero Club (EI-SAC), Navan (EI-HHA), Waterford Aero Club (EI-GWY), Tibohine Flying Club (EI-HIR), Hotel Bravo Flying Club (EI-CUJ), FunFly Aerosports (EI-HOU, EI-HMC, EI-GYN and EI-GTB) and members of Connaught Aero Club flying EI-TGG, alongside a large number of privately owned aircraft.
The author was fortunate enough to make the journey in Savannah S amphibian EI-GYN, joining aircraft arriving from every corner of the country for what quickly became one of the aviation highlights of the year.
Beyond the celebrations, the event also carried an important message about the future of Galway Airport itself. Members of the Galway Aviation & Innovation Advocacy Group were in attendance, engaging with visitors and outlining their campaign to retain the airport’s runway and aviation infrastructure. The group has been actively promoting what they describe as “21 Reasons to Retain Galway Airport”, arguing that the facility remains a strategic asset and could play a significant role in future aviation, business, emergency services and innovation activities in the region.
Their presence struck a chord with many pilots attending the fly-in. Galway Airport remains one of Ireland’s best aviation facilities, with a quality runway, ample apron space and excellent supporting infrastructure. Yet opportunities for the general aviation community to use the airport are extremely limited. Speaking to pilots throughout the day, a common view emerged: it is a tremendous asset for the West of Ireland and a real shame that greater access is not available to the wider Irish general aviation community.
As the afternoon drew to a close and aircraft departed for home, the event had all the hallmarks of a great fly-in: excellent weather, good food, old friendships renewed, new connections made and plenty of aircraft to admire. Most importantly, it was a fitting tribute to a flying club that has spent eight decades keeping the spirit of general aviation alive in Galway.
Congratulations to Galway Flying Club on reaching its 80th Anniversary, and on delivering a memorable event that showcased both the strength of Irish general aviation and the enduring value of Galway Airport.
Thank you to all of the contributors who supplied photos including Frank Grealish, Cathal O’Connell, Jane Magill and Daniel Day (bearaviation34). Main photo above by Pat Lanigan Ryan.
