SOUTH DUBLIN SKIES AND THE IRISH AIR CORPS SINCE 1922

5th - 17th October

South Dublin County Council and the Irish Air Corps present this historical and impressive exhibition.

This unique exhibition includes a full sized Marchetti aircraft, rare engines, propellers, paraphernalia, photography and model aircrafts. Each piece formalises the contribution to local and national history which the Irish Air Corps has made, and its place in creating a historical narrative over the Irish landscapes.

The Irish Air Corps has operated from Casement Aerodrome, formerly known as Baldonnel, for nearly 90 years and has in that time been a constant presence in the skies over South Dublin County. ?In times of peace and war, fair weather and foul, day and night, the air has hummed to the sound of beating propellers, clattering rotors or whining jets as Air Corps aircraft and their crews have passed overhead in the course of their duty.

Hidden from view and difficult to find in the green pastures to the west of Clondalkin, the Air Corps? presence is muted and subdued, a black-and-white print in a colour album. ?Self-effacing and modest, few people would be able to tell you much about its equipment, roles, personnel or illustrious history of service to the State even though the vast majority of its personnel live amongst the populace of South Dublin County. Contact with its aircraft, especially its training fleet, is an even rarer event.

South Dublin County Council is pleased to host the Air Corps? aviation heritage exhibition at RUA RED.? This offers a unique opportunity to fill in some of the details concerning your Air Corps and its association with South Dublin County. It is a first contact exhibition aimed at challenging the visitor.? It is informing yet it also challenges you to ask questions and not to settle for a short visit and a fleeting glimpse at the Air Corps? background, but also to talk to some of our personnel and to further research the subject.

Exhibition runs from 6^th 17^th October 2009 at RUA RED, South Dublin Arts Centre, Tallaght.Dublin 24

www.ruared.ie