CIÉ's 60th Anniversary Dublin Bus Rally 2005
Córas Iompair Éireann, or CIÉ, the semi-state body responsible for providing public transportation for the Republic Of Ireland came into being in 1945. Sixty years later, Dublin Bus, the branch of CIÉ charged with serving Dublin's bus-travelling public, commemorated the occasion with a celebratory rally at its Harristown Depot in North West Dublin.
It takes an event like this for many people to realise just how interesting and diverse our transport history is - and it was certainly in evidence on Sunday 30th October 2005 when past and present came together in a show of colours and styles which put smiles on people's faces for the whole day! The display was basked in glorious autumnal sunshine and gave rise to a memorable day - and some very interesting pictures...
( Please allow a few moments for all the pictures to load fully )
Firstly, the veterans....
D415
KC48
KC202
KD199
KE35
R686
R788 and RA73
... and now some of the more modern models ...
AW1
RH142
RV539, AV448 and DT1
After the initial opportunities to view and photograph the array of buses, which included a
selection of those from Northern Ireland and London, it was time
for the road run! People were given the freedom to choose which bus they would like to travel
on - and so we set off along the M50 motorway and the N32 turning at Clare Hall, down the
Malahide Road, along Clontarf Road and through Sutton Cross to Howth Harbour.
Along the journey we had a full Garda escort to see us smoothly and safely along the road...
After the stop at Howth for about 20 minutes, we headed back to Harristown for some much-needed (and much appreciated!) snacks and refreshments. But the day wasn't over yet! Dublin Bus very kindly laid on brief tours of the maintenance area...
... the main facility ...
AW3 on the hydraulic jacks
MV65
gets some routine maintenance.
RV478 being re-panelled and prepared for
respray into the standard yellow and blue fleet livery
The tour brought to a close a magnificent day's outing. Sincere thanks go to Dublin Bus , an Gharda Síochána and the bus preservationists who put so much time and energy into helping keep alive our transport heritage. Thanks also go to everybody involved in ensuring that the day was very well organised and run. Definitely an event to remember!
