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County Kildare History and Heritage

Gordon Bennett Motor Race 1903

Intro and Menu | April Articles

Leinster Leader, Saturday 4 April 1903, Last Edition – Page 5.

District Doings.
In Athy and Carlow.


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The danger of cycling on footpaths was exemplified in a case which occurred at Blackparks on the evening of the 27th ult., when an aged woman named Maria Lawler was knocked down from behind by a cyclist going in the direction of Ballylinan.
***
She got a heavy fall and sustained severe injuries to the face. Her wounds were dressed by Dr. Kilbride.

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THE MOTOR CAR RACE.
INTERESTING PARTICULARS.

Our London correspondent writes:-
What with the motor race in July and the Royal visit in August, Ireland will have a busy and profitable season this summer. Speaking of the motor race reminds me to mention that it is probable that a sort of full-dress rehearsal of the competing cars will be held at Naas the day before the race. If this takes place, it will more than compensate for the disappointment caused by the abandonment of Naas as the starting point. It is safe to say that all roads will lead to Naas to see both the exhibition of cars and the procession the following morning to the starting point at Ballyshannon cross roads. Mr. Scott Montague, who is regarded as the motor member in the House of Commons, I am told favours this proposal. By the way, a pilot motor will be started half an hour or so before the race, at a speed of about 50 miles an hour, to give the spectators an idea of the danger they will incur if they venture on the roads. “Avoid the road, and stand on the ditch” is my advice to every intending spectator.

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SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT AT NAAS.
A rather serious car accident occurred in Naas last Friday night. About 10 p.m., a carman named Andrew Kennedy, of Dublin Road, Naas, was driving Dr. Coady, of Clane, from Ballymore. Opposite Mr. D. Patterson’s shop, a car driven by James Hayden of Ballymore, which was coming down the street, collided with his vehicle. The shaft of Haydens car struck Kennedy’s horse in the breast, killing him almost instantaneously. Dr. Coady escaped with a slight shaking, and none of the others concerned suffered from the collision. The horse was worth about £25. It is stated that Hayden was driving on the wrong side, but the accident is mainly attributed to the fact that neither car had lights, and, the shops having been closed, the light from the street lamps was insufficient to enable either driver to see objects as distinctly as would have been desirable.