SPECTACULAR!

A spectacular weekend of air acrobatics drew an estimated 140,000 people to Bray last weekend – despite the weather! The famous RAF Red Arrows, pictured left, stole the show on Sunday afternoon with their incredible performance. Among the huge crowds on Bray Head were, pictured above, Eric, Sadhbh, Romaine and Odhran Roche.

EVEN cloudy skies and showers couldn’t dampen spirits at this year’s Bray Air Display.

Organisers delayed the start time on Sunday to wait for the clouds to clear and ensure the best display possible.

Up to 140,000 people attended over the two-day event, with plenty of food and entertainment along the seafront as well as the show in the sky.

The world-renowned RAF Red Arrows wowed the crowd along with a host of other international acts including the Royal Jordanian Falcons and the Tranchant Jet

Team from Brittany in France.

The Irish Air Corps, Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue, and the Garda Air Support Unit displayed the aviation skill and expertise available to support public health and safety while the L.É. Roisin was anchored off the shoreline to acknowledge the tremendous work of the Irish naval service. Peter Kearney, Chief Executive of the Irish Aviation Authority said: ‘We have seen some spectacular displays of aviation skill and talent this weekend at both the Foynes Air Show in Limerick and the Bray Air Display.’

Other highlights were a Mustang aircraft flown by world champion air racer Paul Bonhomme; Eddie Goggins, aka The Flying Dentist, performing hair-raising manoeuvres and Richard Goodwin executing gravity-defying moves in his highly modified Pitts special ‘Muscle Bi-Plane’.

As well as high-octane performances, many vintage aircraft took part in the display including Chipmunk and Stearman of the Irish Historic Flight Foundation, the 75-year-old Catalina Flying Boat PBY-5A, two Strikemasters aircraft from Wales; a Viggen aircraft from the Swedish Historic Flight Foundation and the Aer Lingus DC-3 1940s aircraft displaying the original livery of that era.

The Irish Parachute Club closed the show with a free fall demonstration onto Bray strand.

Sé Pardy, Director, Bray Air Display, said: ‘We held our nerve and the sun made a very welcome appearance just in time! Thanks to everyone who made their way to Bray this weekend to enjoy the show – we really appreciate all the support. A big thank you also to our main supporters the IAA as well as Wicklow County Council and all of the volunteers who make the weekend such a success.’

Caoimhe Walker and Lilymai Clancy. Wicklow Civil Defence, who were marshalling and supporting the show both in the water and on the ground.

The G-EWIZ biplane comes in close to the cliff walk during the Bray Air Display on Sunday. PHOTOS BY BARBARA FLYNN

The crew of the Irish Coast Guard’s Rescue 116 put on a display for the crowd.

Jimmy Hennessy, Cathal O’Toole and Frank Doyle in the Sky Bar at the Martello.

Tony McWilliams and Helen White.

Mary Doyle and Fiona Hennessy in the Sky Bar at the Martello.

Jenny Monaghan watching the Red Arrows from the flight deck.

Umberto Cocchiglia, Gareth Keenan, Luca and Alex Keenan, Adele and Sinead Cocchiglia on Bray Head.

Fiona and Tim Mantle were prepared for the weather on Bray Head.

Paul McAleer watching the display. Captain Michael Barcoe, a pilot from the 301 Squadron of No 3 Operations Wing of the Irish Air Corps, which was involved in fighting the recent gorse fires on Bray Head.

Dylan, Melissa, Katherine, Olivia and Mark Buckley.

Olivia, Tyler and James Pluck fill in the time after the show is delayed due to weather on Sunday.

Eileen and Pat Hannon making use of all the available space to watch the air display.

A packed seafront in Bray during the air display.

Donal and Liz Fitzpatrick watching the Red Arrows.

PHOTOS BY BARBARA FLYNN The Red Arrows in action at the Bray Air Display on Sunday.

Karel Vrsan and Danny Ng find a good perch on the end of a closed Sidmonton Road.

Clare Considine watching the Red Arrows.

A DC-3 1942 Shamrock.

The Aer Lingus Airbus A321.