Posted by Tom Heavey, Managing Editor
Well I’m sure you have all heard enough about COVID-19 at this stage. We all know the implications of it from hearing of the death toll in Italy, and indeed in China, where it all began. A few months ago many of us thought the virus wouldn’t reach us over here, and while our thoughts were with the Chinese we paid very little heed to it. But, as the month of February passed it became more and more of a news story, and was appearing in a new country each day up until the first case was diagnosed in Ireland on the 29th of February. Now, just twenty days later, we have 634 cases on the island of Ireland and 4 deaths as the global count grows by the hour. I’m no medical professional, but this thing isn’t going away anytime soon; China have just had their first day with no new cases, some four months after it started.
I for one never thought that if COVID-19 arrived here it would have an effect on our hobby, but it sure has, with so many events already being cancelled or postponed not only across Ireland but across the UK and Europe. Here at Irish Vintage Scene we have been told of a lot of cancellations and postponements, and when we receive new dates for these we will give updates where we can. Below are what we have to date, but I’m sure there are more and we will update this as and when we receive the information:
22nd March: Shrule Vintage Club Autojumble, Shrule, Co. Mayo
28th March: Autojumble & Sale at Castleinch Venue, Callan Road, Kilkenny
28th & 29th March: Capri Club Ireland trip to Galway & Mayo
29th March: Breffni Vintage Club Autojumble, Cavan
29th March: Knockdown Vintage Club’s annual road run
29th March: RIAC Cars & Coffee, Dawson Street, Dublin
3rd to 5th April: IVVCC Percy French Run
5th April: Miniature World Model Show, Leisureland, Galway (new date 27th September)
5th April: Cork International Car Show
5th to 11th April: Extreme Tractor Charity Run from London to Mayo
11th to 13th April: Wexford Sports & Classic Car Club’s Spring Challenge
12th April: Tipperary Vintage Rally at Tipperary Plaza
26th April: Classic Car Show & Autojumble at the National Show Centre, Swords
26th April: Midland American Auto Club’s All American Car, Truck & Bike Show (new date 16th August)
26th April: South Donegal Vintage & Heritage Club’s annual field day
2nd & 3rd May: Clonmel Veteran & Vintage Classic Car Show, Clonmel Racecourse
3rd May: Vintage Japanese Motor Cycle Show, National Show Centre, Swords
3rd May: COVOC Norman Pratt Run, Crover House Hotel
10th May: South Donegal Vintage & Heritage Club charity road run from Bee Park
17th May: Motorfest Ireland at Limerick Racecourse.
7th June: South Donegal Vintage & Heritage Club’s annual Lough Melvin run
21st June: South Donegal Vintage & Heritage Club static show at Sandhouse
Overseas
27th to 29th March: Classic Car & Restoration Show, NEC Birmingham (new date expected shortly)
27th to 29th March: Techno Classica Essen, Essen Germany (new date 24th to 28th June)
16th & 17th May: Spring Autojumble, Beaulieu.
While it is disappointing to have so many events cancelled, it’s important that we all play our part in trying to slow the spread of the virus; while we may have some hard decisions to take in regard to shows, its better in the long run for everyone in the country, and before long our hobby will spring back into life bigger and better than ever. The HSE have issued guidelines around holding events, and I think it’s every event organiser’s duty to adhere to these. The current guidelines state that indoor events should have no more than 100 people, and for outdoor events that’s 500. These restrictions are in place until the 29th of March, but are very likely to be extended. To keep updated with restrictions and government guidelines, log onto www.gov.ie; we will also update information as it comes to hand on our website. For the foreseeable future it is in everyone’s interest to keep safe, avoid unnecessary travel and interaction with others and, most of all, keep your hand hygiene as a priority. Please keep safe. Thomas Heavey, Managing Editor
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