Annual air show a flying success

[Frank]

Annual air show a flying success as dare-devil stunts wow plane spotters  


PERFORMING dare-devil stunts in the skies over Salthill, three planes from the RAF's Red Arrows used their trail of smoke to draw hearts of red, white and blue above 100,000 enthralled spectators at the biggest ever air spectacle seen in Galway yesterday.

The sight on the ground was also spectacular as thousands of people lined the seafront for miles around Salthill and as far across as the Clare coast to watch the show.

Aircraft from Russia, the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and the Irish Air Corps all put on stunning displays for the audience.

"The Gardai have told me there were upwards of 100,000 spectators and not a trace of trouble. It was the best day that Salthill has ever seen," said Brian McGrath, chairman of the organising committee.

Speaking afterwards, an elated Mr McGrath added: "This spectacular success should answer any critics we might still have. We are anti-war but those of us involved are pro-aviation, which is a very different matter. I think the crowds proved that we had the support of over 100,000 spectators who think likewise and they too look upon this annual air show as theatre in the sky."

Gardai in Galway also estimated that about 8,000 people lined the coast at Ballyloughane while many more stood in awe a few miles down the coast in Oranmore.

Mr McGrath added that the Salthill Air Show, now in its 12th year, is a welcome €1m boost to tourism in the area.

"It would be a terrible loss to Galway if it did not go ahead and this year's success should make it a bigger than ever international event in the coming years."

Meanwhile, ships from various countries anchored in the bay, including Galway Hookers, added colour to the spectacle. Spectator Nora Lambert travelled all the way from Wexford with her four young children for the event. "We came here last year too but this one was the best ever and we will be back," she said.

Tom Gilmore

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[Buran]

what was there from russia or canada?

the only trouble were the gimps on the jetskis who caused the harrier to call of his hover maneuver on the pass he intended.

and the guy who forgot the tide while standing on the rocks, and caused the rescue lauch to come over and offer help. Which he refused, took off his shoes and socks and stepped into the water up to his thighs....

[Sully]

I know what i'd like to do to them people on the jetski's...  

I mean, c'mon how many times will you see a Harrier hovering on front of ya over Galway Bay!