This weekend, Clifden will come alive with celebration as it marks the 20th anniversary of one of the most daring aviation tributes of the 21st century — the reenactment of Alcock and Brown’s pioneering 1919 transatlantic flight by adventurer Steve Fossett and United Airlines pilot Mark Rebholz.
Their successful journey in a replica Vickers Vimy biplane in 2005 reconnected modern aviation with its daring roots and rekindled a spirit of bold exploration in the skies above the Atlantic.
Flying a faithful replica of the original 1919 Vickers Vimy, the duo paid homage to the aviation pioneers who achieved the first ever non-stop transatlantic flight. They flew in an open cockpit, fully exposed to the elements, in a painstakingly accurate replica of the original World War I bomber. Though the aircraft was crafted with modern adhesives and powered by more reliable Canadian-built engines, the journey remained perilous and primitive in spirit — a remarkable tribute to the bravery of Capt John Alcock and Lieut Arthur Whitten Brown.
Rebholz, disappointed he couldn't rely solely on celestial navigation due to the poor visibility, still honoured the original aviators’ methods by using a sextant whenever possible. Both men wore survival suits and carried emergency beacons — vital concessions to safety that Alcock and Brown never had. Yet Fossett was quick to point out that their modern journey, while treacherous, still paled in comparison to the risks the 1919 pioneers had faced.
Fossett, a legendary adventurer, brought considerable prestige to the reenactment. At the time, he had just completed the first solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe by airplane and held numerous aviation and sailing records. His death just two years later in a tragic crash near Mammoth Lakes, California, only adds poignancy to the memory of his daring Atlantic tribute.
The replica aircraft they flew — made of wood and cotton and with a 70-foot wingspan — was built in the early 1990s. It had already completed reenactments of the London-to-Sydney and London-to-Cape Town flights, both of which were also milestones achieved by the original Vickers Vimy aircraft in the early 20th century.
This Saturday, July 5, Clifden and Connemara will mark the 20th anniversary of that remarkable re-enactment. The celebrations will welcome Mark Rebholz back to Clifden for a special day of free events honouring this historic feat and the people who made it possible.
At 1pm, there will be an unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Mark Rebholz, Clifden Town Square
At 4.00pm, there will be an audience with Mark Rebholz, in the Station House Theatre, Clifden
At 6.00pm there will be a screening of Alcock and Brown: The True Story, a documentary by Kevin Glynn.
This event is organised by the Connemara Chamber of Commerce, which was also involved in welcoming the aviators back in 2005.
The commemorations will provide an opportunity for the community and visitors alike to learn more about the historic transatlantic crossings and the role Clifden has played in this remarkable chapter of aviation history.
All events are free, but tickets must be reserved online on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ie/o/connemara-chamber-113026257011
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