On Sunday 21st August Rosemary Smith was presented with The FIVA Heritage Hall of Fame award at a ceremony in the world famous Powerscourt Gardens, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. The presentation formed the central attraction at the Irish Veteran and Vintage Car Club annual Powerscourt picnic.
Ms. Rosemary Smith with the FIVA Hall of Fame Award
Rosemary was collected from her home in a very fine 1936 Derby Bentley and driven to lunch at Powerscourt Hotel Resort. The lunch was attended by Tiddo Bresters (President of FIVA), Keith Gibbins (Chair of FIVA Motorcycle Commission) , Myles O’Reilly (President of IVVCC), Peadar Ward IVVCC FIVA representative) and a number of Rosemary’s co-drivers from her motoring career.
The ceremony
Following the lunch, the party moved to the nearby walled garden in the Powerscourt Estate where 120 historic vehicles were assembled with their owners and families. In all 250 enthusiastic friends and supporters of Rosemary were present. Tiddo Bresters addressed the assembled crowd and spoke of the significance of FIVA for the historic vehicle movement worldwide and the establishment in 2021 of the Heritage Hall of Fame before presenting Rosemary with the Trophy. Myles O’Reilly spoke of the achievements of Rosemary during her long career, competing in no less than 8 Monte Carlo Rallies and her stunning outright victory in the Tulip Rally in 1965. Before concluding proceedings Peadar Ward read a letter from Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland congratulating Rosemary as the first Irish person to be recognised in this way and her trailblazing contribution to Ireland’s sporting life. The President ‘s letter went on to say that she had a legacy to be proud of and congratulated her on her recent 85th birthday. Peadar then presented Rosemary with a bouquet of flowers.
Myles O’Reilly, Keith, Gibbins Rosemary Smith,Tiddo, Bresters, Peadar Ward.
The FIVA President addressing the crowd.