I had an incredible experience when I was invited to take a flight from Weston Airport on a 1942 Boeing Stearman Biplane G-THEA built in Kansas.  The Spirit of Tipperary was  owned by Captain Cathal Ryan (RIP 2007) of Ryanair  and is flown by Captain Robbie Redmond, a Ryanair pilot and air instructor.
We took off west over North Kildare crossing the Peculiar Barn, Connolly's Folly, Maynooth, Kilcock and heading towards Meath and Trim.  It was a nice warm day on Friday (July 11) and despite the open cockpit I was nice and snug. I had the front seat and the views were amazing.  Ireland is so green and a beautiful patchwork of multi hued fields at this time of the year. 
My flight was a taster for the Bray Air Show taking place on July 20 when more than 30 aircraft will take to the air for a spectacular display of flying.  If you are in the Bray area on Sunday, do come to the air display and enjoy the sight of some amazing flying. The show will also be streamed live through AerTV

More details here

Vampires, Ravens and Black Knights Ready for Air Show Take-Off

The Vampires of the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron, the Black Knights Defence Forces Parachute Team and aerobatic pilots from the Ravens are ready for rake-off at this year’s Bray Air Display on Sunday, July 20th for Bray Summerfest, supported by the Irish Aviation Authority.
Ireland's largest free air show takes off at 3.30pm and the display attracted a record-breaking 85,000 spectators last year, with similar numbers expected again this year. For the first time this year, the three-hour display will be live streamed through AerTv.ie, helping the Bray Air Display reach international audiences online.

 The ‘Flying Dentist’ (former aerobatic champion, Eddie Goggins) and the ‘Flying Farmer’ (former RAF pilot, Gerry Humphreys) are teaming up once again as 'Aer Dynamics'. Their smoke-filled display promises to fill the skies with crossover loops, synchronised hammerheads and split shamrocks.

 The Aer Lingus A321 is opening the show and The Twister Team trio are also making a welcome return, in their Silence Twister aircraft with pyrotechnic effects.  The Pitts Trig Team, Stobart Air, the Sikorsky helicopter from the Irish Coast Guard, the Boeing Stearman and the so-called ‘Admirals Barge’ (the Beech Expediter) will also be entertaining the large crowds expected.

 A piece of aviation history will be created on Sunday (July 20), with a unique display by three vintage aircraft: the 1936 Iolar from Aer Lingus along with two Chipmunks, flying in retro Irish Air Corps colours. Meanwhile, this year’s headline acts also include the Hawker Hunter, The Strike Master and the Irish Aer Corps.

 Sé Pardy, the Display Director from Simtech Aviation, said: “This year’s display programme is the most family-friendly yet, with lots of spectacular aerial action for visitors of all ages to enjoy. From vintage planes from the 1930s, 40s and 50s to high speed aerobic formations, we’re welcoming top pilots from Ireland and around the world to Bray, to showcase aviation at its very best.”
The Bray Air Display is just one of the highlights in the annual Bray Summerfest programme (#bsf14), which runs over five themed weekends until August 4th.  The programme includes free live music performances; over 60 free family events, the Bray Head Slide, a food and gardening weekend and an open-air cinema.