VINTAGE car enthusiasts caught a little piece of motoring history last week when a convoy of Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts stopped off in Fermanagh as part of a major tour of Ireland.

Around 30 cars were shipped in from America, Australia, Switzerland and Canada to take part in the trip organised by a U.S based car club which aims to promote the unique Rolls-Royce model.

Organiser Billi Carey of the Silver Ghost Association said she wanted the club, which has over 500 members in total, to visit Fermanagh “specifically for the landscape and the beauty.” “We are enjoying the chance to tour the beautiful Fermanagh county and we were so excited to wake up to sunshine this morning. It’s absolutely beautiful here. There are so many colours of green, I think it’s my new favourite colour,” she said.

Ms. Carey’s group is dedicated to the preservation of Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost cars. Described as the most significant car ever built, the Silver Ghost was produced from 1907 through 1926.

A number of people from the UK and Ireland also gathered in Fermanagh, including local couple Raymond and Hazel Moffatt who showed off their magnificent 1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

The couple and their dog Timmy joined the international visitors and their vehicles for a quick tour of Florence Court House, an appropriate and picturesque setting for the visit. Afterwards they visited Marble Arch Caves and Belleek Pottery.

“It is excellent for them to visit,” said Mr. Moffatt. “What a great collection of cars we have here. I must say the Americans have really enjoyed their time in Fermanagh.” Intrigued by all things to do with Rolls-Royce, Mr. Moffatt, who owns four of them, said it was an exciting day for motoring enthusiasts who enjoy driving vintage cars and servicing them.

“Most of these people know these cars inside out and enjoy the company and meeting new people like I do. I bought my Silver Ghost 10 years ago and spent three years restoring it. It and my other three cars are my pride and joy so I couldn’t wait to get involved in this,” he said.

Founding member of Erne Vintage Car Club, Ivan Kee, checked out the fleet of cars as they sat in the sun and described the scene with the illustrious house in the background as “unbelievable.” “Don’t they look wonderful? It is mind boggling to see the backdrop of Florence Court and to see the world’s best cars sitting in front of us. It really is a spectacle that could not be missed,” he said.

Jim Chestnutt, Property Manager at Florence Court, said seeing the convoy of cars lined up outside the house was “spectacular.” “It must be a record for Florence Court, it is incredible. These cars were probably a bit grand even for here when they were first produced. A Chrysler was one of the first cars here and was bought in Enniskillen at the time, but these are on a different level altogether. It is great for Fermanagh to be hosting this,” he said.

Production of the Silver Ghosts ceased during the war, but because of their durability and reliability, the chassis and engine were used in a range of armoured cars. In all, a total of 7,874 Silver Ghost cars were produced from 1907 to 1926 and it is estimated that around 1,500 of these cars survive today.

The group began their tour of Ireland in Dublin at the beginning of September and ended it earlier this week. As well as visiting Fermanagh, the Silver Ghosts toured Kildare, Kerry and Cork.