Fitzgerald Camp - the Aerodrome
by Paudie McGrath
The old Aerodrome is now Fitzgerald Camp
The earliest known photograph of Fermoy Aerodrome, 1923.
Aircraft are a Martynside Scout, Bristol Fighter, 2 x de Havilland
9s (D.H. 9s)
Pilots are (L/R) Lt. Hardy, Lt. G. Carroll, Lt. McDonagh, and Lt. McCollough.
Hangers in Former Aerodrome
Song Playing:
"Tis Pretty to be in Ballinderry"
The British military arrived in Fermoy about 1797 and had a continuous
presence here until 1922.
Golf in Fermoy started in what was called the Áerodrome. It then moved to the
Sandpit in Duntaheen Road and moved back again to the Aerodrome fields in the
late 1920’s. This remained their home until 1970 when they moved to Corrin.
Fermoy Golf Club
Aviation came early to Fermoy, Its strategic military importance was to a great
extent Fermoy's raison d'etre. It was already one of the largest military
establishments in the country when the Aerodrome was built in 1918 for the Army
Flying Corp. During the Civil War it was taken over by Free State Troops in a
semi-dismantled condition and used frequently as a base for air patrols over the
surrounding area. At that time two DH89s, two Bristol fighters and two Martinside
Scouts were based at the Aerodrome.
Flying returned to Fermoy on June 24th.1934, when the Cork Aero Club was
officially opened at the air display at the Aerodrome.
Fermoy was frequently used by the Irish Air Corps for flying manoeuvres. A
squadron flew from Baldonnel to the Aerodrome every year to take part in air firing
exercises over the Kilworth ranges.'
Even part of the Movie, "The Blue Max", was filmed over the Fermoy skies.
The Blue Max
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©
2003-2007 Paudie McGrath's Photography. |
