Relatives of many of those being
remembered were also in attendance. The ecumenical service was
conducted by Rev Alan Rufli in the Church of Ireland on North Main
Street, Rathcoole.
IMWA Chairman David Walsh said it was
an occasion 'not of sadness, but of joy in happy memories' of those
whom were being brought to mind. "We are fortunate, given the
Association has been in existence for some 41 years, that it is still
a relatively short list," he said "But each person on it
has left a significant legacy to a history of Irish motoring
journalism, and to friendship."
Those whose names were read out, and to
whose memory candles were lit, included Tom Barker of the Cork
Examiner; rally driver Des Bradley who wrote for the Irish Times and
several of contemporary motoring publications; and Tony Colley who
had used his multimedia skills to bring motoring journalism to
television in Dublin.
Pat Comyn, who passed away in July of
this year, was long-time motoring editor with the Sunday Independent.
Brian and Mary Foley published Auto
Ireland and Autowoman magazines. Mary died in 2012 and Brian in 2016.
Andrew Hamilton, who died in 2006, was one of Ireland's best known
motoring journalists through his work with the Irish Times.
Niall Hanley, Editor of the Evening
Herald, was the first Chairman of the IMWA. He died in the tragic
Beaujolais crash of November 1984. Motoring journalist Hugh McGrillen
was also remembered.
Ferdia O’Dowd, renowned agricultural
journalist and motoring writer, latterly with The Sunday Business
Post, passed away in April 2012. Gerry Proctor, publisher of
Portfolio Magazine in the Dublin Docklands business hub, died in
2013.
John Reilly from Ballina was a founder
of Irish Car and other magazines, as well as being motoring columnist
in the Western People and other publications. He passed away after a
short illness in 2004.
Brian Thornton from Galway, who died in
2003 after a long illness, was a motoring writer of distinction in
the Clare Champion and the Connaught Tribune. Malachy Walsh from
Crosshaven in Cork, who passed away in January of this year, was a
renowned motoring journalist and businessman.
The occasion was also an opportunity to
recall members of the Irish motor industry who passed away in recent
times. Among them Nigel O’Flaherty of Motor Distributors Limited;
Doug McCoy late of Jaguar Land Rover; cars and motorcycle racer Des
Cullen; and Robert ‘Pino’ Harris.
Teresa Noone attended on behalf of The
Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), and Brian Harnett
represented Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive of the Road Safety
Authority (RSA).
Pictured above are some of the relatives and friends of deceased members present for the memorial service. Back — Don Hall of Hall PR, Dublin 4, who represented Joy Hamilton, sister of the late Andrew Hamilton; and Ronan Foley (Kilcullen, Co Kildare) grandson of the late Brian and Mary Foley. Front: Rev Alan Rufli, Parish of Clondalkin & Rathcoole, Dublin; Grace Stroughaire (Dublin) and her sister Pamela Thornton (Galway) wife of the late Brian Thornton; Bernard Bradley and his mother Pat (Dublin), representing the late Des Bradley; Sinead Foley (Kilcullen) representing her parents Brian Foley and Mary Schwer Foley; and Dave Walshe, Chairman of the Irish Motoring Writers Association.
Pictured above are some of the relatives and friends of deceased members present for the memorial service. Back — Don Hall of Hall PR, Dublin 4, who represented Joy Hamilton, sister of the late Andrew Hamilton; and Ronan Foley (Kilcullen, Co Kildare) grandson of the late Brian and Mary Foley. Front: Rev Alan Rufli, Parish of Clondalkin & Rathcoole, Dublin; Grace Stroughaire (Dublin) and her sister Pamela Thornton (Galway) wife of the late Brian Thornton; Bernard Bradley and his mother Pat (Dublin), representing the late Des Bradley; Sinead Foley (Kilcullen) representing her parents Brian Foley and Mary Schwer Foley; and Dave Walshe, Chairman of the Irish Motoring Writers Association.
