Since industry began in Ireland many factories have maintained their own Works fire engine. Our story this week features a unique 1961 109” Series 2A Land Rover with an original Donegal registration that served the Co Donegal Gaeltacht in north-west Ireland for many years.
Gaeltarra Éireann, established in 1957 as an Irish state industrial development agency, believed an urban focus in the Gaeltacht areas was essential for investment and youth retention. They created two major industrial estates in Derrybeg (County Donegal) and Spiddal (County Galway). The initiatives successfully generated jobs and revitalised rural communities. Gaeltarra Éireann was replaced in 1980 by the newly-formed agency Udaras na Gaetachta.
The ‘Firefly’ fire engine was built on a regular Land Rover 88” or 109” Series IIA chassis. The ‘Firefly’ brand was owned by Fire Armour based in London and they were in turn owned by Angus Fire (George Angus) who manufactured a wide range of fire related equipment based in the north east and in Lancashire, UK. In 1964 G. Angus bought a 10% share of HCB creating HCB-Angus. At this time Fire Armour ceased trading and transferred their order book, commercial contacts etc. to HCB-Angus and HCB in turn stopped building commercial vehicle bodies. The last machine they built was a chicken plucking machine!
The Firefly brand was intermittently used on appliances until 1968 when George Angus bought out the remainder of HCB equity and they became wholly owned. At this point the name Firefly disappeared and the lozenge HCB-Angus badge appeared.
When new this compact fire engine was well equipped and depending on the wheelbase was fitted with a galvanized water tank of either 40 or 90 gallons (182 to 409 litres). The pump was located to the rear of the engine and could pump 350 to 400 gallons (1590 to 1816 litres) of water per minute.
The hoses carried were two lengths of 4” suction hose and a ‘first aid’ rapid deployment reel carrying 180’ of ¾ inch high pressure hose. There was also 2 x 10ft suction hoses and an extending ladder stowed on an overhead ‘gallows’.
Several aluminum equipment lockers held nozzles, hydrant adaptors and ancillary equipment and there is a search light on the roof of the passenger side and a Pye two-way radio in the cab.
Later versions on the 109” wheelbase had a Coventry Climax A.C.P. water pump fitted to the front bumper. Fitting a front mounted pump allowed a larger stowage locker arrangement in the rear.
Following its service life with Gaeltarra Éireann the Series 2A went into the collection of the Fire Service Trust, Athy, Co Kildare. The trust gave the Series 2A a major restoration in 2006.
After leaving the collection of the Fire Service Trust the third owner fitted new tyres, exhaust, shocks, fuel pump, water pump, coil, cooling hoses and dynamo. Parts of the original wiring have been replaced and the seats have been repadded and recovered and there is a new rubber floor covering. As we can confirm at first hand the front bumper mounted bell and siren and blue lights are in working order!
Renowned classic car dealer David Golding is selling this unique Land Rover – please contact him for further details www.davidgoldingcars.ie
Sources of Information:
Aidan Fisher
Brand new Retro
Fire Service Trust (Irish Works Fire Brigade Collection) – Martin Thompson
Land Rover Heritage Collection
Pat Cullen & Dave Armstrong
Stewart Construction
Wiki
