The 45th Irish National Vintage Motorcycle Rally

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A few days ago Marcel Schoen send me these amazing pictures and a very cool story about his last 45th Irish National Rally he made with his Norton International 500cc 1934.
This Inter belonged to his late uncle, and had not run for more than 30 years. Marcel just finished rebuilding, did 5 km testing at home, loaded up for Irland and did more than 900 km  without any problems.
Marcel is the brother of Niels Schoen, from the 3D Norton Manx drawings . 

By Marcel Schoen

The Irish National Rally has been bringing classic bike fans to the Emerald Isle for 44 years. Each day of the four-day event covers about 140 miles, taking in spectacular scenery along the rocky Atlantic coastline and through the dramatic mountains of County Cork and County Kerry. That might not seem far to ride a bike in a day, but remember, these are Irish roads — most of them are rough and have grass growing down the middle. With Lot of hill climbing bringing you up to beautiful scenery, Not the ideal roads for a Norton International 1934, even if you are on the world’s best roadholder.

We started our journey on 18 august, together 6 friends of the Dutch Vintage Motorcycle Association.

Traveling together, with my Mercedes Van which I painted in the Norton color scheme.

We had with use the following motorcycles :

Norton International 1933 M30 race specification, Norton International 1934 M30 road model, Norton International 1935 M40, Norton Model 18 (1930), Norton Model 18 (1928)which is John’s bike, webmaster from Rapidhare.blogspot.com “Vintage Norton Motorcycles”,  Triumph TT (1927)

We drove through France, Cherbourg , there the ferry to Rosslare Irland. From there to Killarney, our destination, the Castle Rosse Hotel golf course, where all 171 bikers and there motorcycles would stay during the event.
They came from all over Europe and even USA. The scenery, the landscape, the people you meet, and so many vintage motorcycles together, is a experience I wouldn’t have missed.

There were moments, that crossings were blocked with Motorcycles everywhere, as we had a break, and a drink at the local Irish pub, talking, listening to Irish Gaelic songs, which some Irish bikers played on their instruments, they had with them on their bikes, before we went on to our next destination.


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