From the archives of Bob Montgomery, motoring historian
THE VICE-REGAL TOUR: By the middle of 1902, the 120 or so cars already in Ireland had become an increasing familiar sight on the roads of various parts of Ireland, even if, they had perhaps not yet penetrated to its four corners. But they remained a "sporting" object, a play-thing of the wealthy and had yet to make the transition into everyday Irish life. One event - the Vice Regal Tour of October 1902 - more than any other helped the car to make that transition.
The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the Earl of Dudley, was an enthusiast for the motor car and in the following year would lend his official support to the Gordon Bennett drivers in the famous race as well as entertaining at a Garden party in the grounds of his official Phoenix Park residence all those who competed in the famous Speed Trials held in the Phoenix Park on July 4th, just two days after the Gordon Bennett Race.
That however, was still in the future. Now, in October 1902, he undertook what many regarded as a foolhardy undertaking by deciding to tour Connemara by motor car.
In conjunction with the Irish Automobile Club, the details were worked out, and on October 20th the Vice-Regal party travelled by train to Recess, where three motor cars driven by members of the motor club awaited them.
The cars were two 12 hp Panhards and a 10 hp Mors. The party set off and proceeded via Screeb, Kilkieran and Carna to Cashel. Many stops were made along the way while the Earl and Countess visited cottages and spoke to their inhabitants.
The Zetland Arms Hotel at Cashel was reached in torrents of rain, despite which the party was met by a large crowd, while bonfires blazed on the surrounding hills.
An early start the following morning brought the party to Clifden via Ballinahinch, and then on to Kylemore demesne. The road from there to Killary Harbour was regarded as the best yet encountered and the party ended the day at McKeown's Hotel at Leenane.
The following day the party took the difficult road to Westport via Maamtrasna. The road was very poor and the locals turned out en masse along the route to remove any dangerous stones and to fill in culverts which might damage the cars and impede the party's progress.
Despite this movement along this road was slow and difficult but eventually Westport was reached safely. Here ended the motorised part of the Vice-Regal Tour and the party embarked by train once more to continue their journey.
Today, the journey may not seem anything special, but in 1902, it was startling proof of what the new motor car could achieve and was widely publicised in the newspapers. Perhaps, more than that, it was important for being seen as an official imprimatur being given for the first time to the motor car and motoring. As such, it was to prove another important milestone in the development of motoring in Ireland.
THE FIRST MOTOR TOUR: The first motor tour of any distance by a motor car was the August 1888 journey from Mannheim to Pforzheim - a distance of 180 km. - by Berta Benz, the wife of the inventor, Karl Benz, accompanied by their two sons. Frau Benz left a note telling her husband, who was unaware of her intentions and who doubtless would not have approved, that she would be back. Happily, the trio arrived safely at Pforzheim, and after a five day stay, returned safely to Mannheim.