PRESENTATION OF ARROL-JOHNSON 1902 CAR TO ATHY HERITAGE CENTRE & MUSEUM

 
In a gesture of remembrance of Mr. McCullagh a car similar to that taken to Antarctica by Enest Shackleton is to be housed at Athy Heritage Centre in Co Kildare, close to the explorer’s birthplace.
In 1907, explorer Ernest Shackleton took an Arrol-Johnson motor car to Antarctica in a publicity stunt that helped fund his trip. Ostensibly, the car was to be used to transport Shackleton and his men towards the South Pole but this, as Shackleton knew, was neither practical nor possible. Never a man to miss an opportunity for publicity, however, he agreed to take the car and, in return, supplied publicity shots taken in the snowy wastes.

Now, a century later, Athy Heritage Centre – which houses a permanent and extensive   Gordon-Bennett 1903 Race section – is to  receive the a gift of an extremely rare 1902 Arrol-Johnspn car which will be permanently housed in the Museum,  just miles from Shackleton’s birthplace and in the town referred to as the ‘Home of the Gordon Bennett’.
The car is being donated by Honor Duncan McCullagh, in memory of her father, Ringwood Mc Cullagh, late of Sawyer’s Wood Athy.  The car is a six-seater and, during World War 11, it saw service as a bus. More recently, it took part in the London to Brighton  annual rally.
The official presentation of the Arrol-Johnson 1902 Car to the Athy Heritage Centre & Museum will take place on Thursday September 18th at the Athy Heritage Centre  at 3 p.m. Cheese and Wine reception kindly supplied  by the Clanard Court Hotel

This is another major coup for Athy Heritage Centre,  and is a rare and excellent photo and press opportunity.
Further information and photographs of the presentation car contact
 Margaret Walsh,  & Staff at  Athy Heritage Centre& Museum
Phone:059 8633075   E mail: athyheritage@ericom.net  Website:www.athyheritagecentre-museum.ie