Enjoy the early signs of spring while rally cars tear round the Circuit of Ireland. Expectant crowds in colourful flares wait to see who will make it to the finish line on the final day of Ireland’s gruelling road race. Meanwhile lambs frolic in the vibrant green fields surrounded by fresh buds. The sparkling sea glitter signals that it’s time for the international drivers to head home. As we wave goodbye we share a final view of the Chaine Memorial Round Tower lighthouse. A 27m turret of Annalong granite that has greeted visitors to these shores since 1888.  

The Circuit of Ireland is an exhilarating 1,500 mile dash around Ireland over five days. Starting in 1931 it is the third oldest international rally in the world. In a year dominated by ford escorts the 1971 winners were Adrian Boyd and Beatty Crawford, delighted to be victorious again after an 11 year wait. If you glimpse an unmarked orange car in this film, it is a camera car driven by former champion Paddy Hopkirk, making a film about the rally called ‘A Dash of the Irish’.  

 Filmed by Archie Reid

• Britain on Film
• Dash of the Irish