
The historic aircraft was built in Aldritt's Garage in Portlaoise in the early 1900s.
The first plane to be built in and flown in Ireland has returned home to Laois.
The historic aircraft was built in Aldritt's Garage in Portlaoise in the early 1900s and later became the first plane to fly east to west across the Atlantic by Portlaoise man Colonel James Fitzmaurice in 1928.
Local volunteers negotiated its return to Ireland after the plane was discovered in a private collection in England, and officially welcomed home at an event at Laois Music Centre yesterday.
Heritage Officer with Laois County Council, Catherine Casey says it's a hugely significant artefact in Irish aviation history:
Highlights of today's Portlaoise Plane event, with thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the event. Featured is an extract from "The Impossible Dream" by Martin Tourish and the @MusicGenLaois Trad Orchestra, with the support of @creativelaois @creativeirl pic.twitter.com/HKoBVY9J6J
— Laois Heritage (@laoisheritage) September 12, 2021