Daredevils on a wing and a prayer in novel flying event

Each team was judged on their pre-flight show, team name, flying machine and of course, the distance they succeeded in travelling…

Each team was judged on their pre-flight show, team name, flying machine and of course, the distance they succeeded in travelling before plunging into the Shannon river.

The overall prize went to the Madhatters from Lifford in Co Donegal who managed to fly a distance of 10 metres before descending into the waters below.

And Co Donegal also managed to steal the second prize with the hilarious Young Man's Aviation Club impressing judges with their YMCA dance before they flew some 7.5 metres, before crashing into the Shannon.

Limerick hosted yet another overwhelmingly successful outdoor event yesterday, when crowds of up to 40,000 people lined the banks of the Shannon to witness a daredevil flying extravaganza with a difference.

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Still riding high on the crest of the Munster rugby celebrations, the Treaty City was yet again host to one of the largest outdoor events in the country this weekend when thousands of spectators lined out for the Red Bull Flugtag event.

Flugtag which means "Flying day" takes its name from the first ever event of its kind which took place in Austria in 1992. Since then Flugtag has spread its wings across the world and has taken place in over 20 cities including, Berlin, Barcelona, Johannesburg, Vienna, San Francisco, London, Dubrovnik and Prague.

Some 26 teams from across the country travelled to Limerick to take part in the first Munster Flugtag day which was hosted by TV presenter Síle Seoige, 2FM's Shane O'Donoghue, and the hilarious Dustin the Turkey.

Each team launched themselves and their flying machines off a specially constructed six metre high platform erected over the Shannon.

The aim of the exercise was to glide as far as possible to the other side of the river but invariably most teams descended rapidly into the river below, during their attempts to woo a panel of judges which included former rugby international Peter Clohessy.

A team of brave competitors from Limerick Fire Station in Mulgrave Street came in third place for their efforts with their flying fire engine.

Limerick co-ordination office director Andrew Mawhinney described yesterday's event as another example of how Limerick can play host to a large outdoor event.