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First Plane To Cross The Atlantic East To West Returning Home To Laois

Tuesday, 22 June 2021 at 11:49

Two Laois brothers began building the iconic aircraft in 1909.

The first plane to cross the Atlantic from east to west is returning home to Laois.

The historic aircraft was built by the Aldritt Brothers in their garage in Portlaoise in the early 1900s and was flown across to Canada in 1928 by Colonel James Fitzmaurice, who himself grew up in the town.

Laois Heritage Society has managed to track down - which was on display in a private museum in Brighton - bought it from the owner.

Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer at Laois County Council, says the plan is to put it on display, for everyone to enjoy:

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