From 1984, Father Michael Cleary was one of five churchmen who took part in a charity Church v State Celebrity Challenge motor race in the Phoenix Park.
Fianna Fáil leader Charles Haughey started the race after arriving in a vintage Rolls Royce.
Participants included Liam Cosgrave.
The race was won by TD Michael Keating, racing for the Stanhope Centre for Alcoholism, who celebrated with champagne.
Good times.
Watch here.
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The above reads like a David McSavage sketch! Could we settle more debates like this?
Can someone quickly throw together a Team Scotland vs. Team Westminster go-karting extravaganza around St. Andrew’s?
Thank you Broadsheet – made my day
Haughey turned up in a vintage Rolls Royce to launch the race. He was leader of the opposition at the time.
LOL.
“Stanhope Centre for alcoholism who celebrated with champagne”
Hahaha :)
Thanks BS for deh giggles
Doug Stanhope?
No idea Stewie. I’ve never even heard of that centre.
I read this as “Church v State Celibacy Challenge”… much less sense!
Ah, rain, cigarette smoke, dodgy leisurewear, dodgier clerical jocularity, compulsory casual alcoholism. Thank fup the 80s are long gone.
nary a seat belt to be seen. good times..
I was just sitting here thinking “Man the 80s were class!”
I see Michael Cleary’s passenger seat is lying way back. Look: http://www.rte.ie/archives/2014/0916/644065-church-v-state-celebrity-challenge-motor-race/
More of the the grisly Father Mick here
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K7ydvKcOAiw&autoplay=1
If you get a chance pick up the “Rocky Road to Dublin” documentary. Plenty more there.
As the documentary says ” what do you do with your revolution when you’ve won it”