Gliding Club is still flying high from Magilligan after 83 years

The club - something of a hidden tourist gem in the heart of the Roe Valley - kicked off its special June 21 event with a dawn flight at 4.47am before closing up for the day with a last-light flight at 10.12pm.

Sentinel reporter Niall Deeney went along to the club’s special longest-day event and spoke to some of the club members.

The Ulster Gliding Club, a hive of activity on the day, has a long and storied history dating back to 1930 - within living memory of the first man-carrying glider flight in human history using the design by Sir George Cayley in 1853.

The club has moved from location to location over the course of its 83-year history, from its first meeting at Comber and Ballymiscaw in County Down to, Clandeboye, Doagh, Tyrella, Long Kesh, Newtownards and Maghaberry.

It has maintained a presence at Magilligan for almost the entirety of its life-time, though, with the stunning views in the area adding to the excellent air flows provided by what members refer to as the “ridge” at Binevenagh.

Jay Nethercott, club secretary said: “We’ve been here a long time. We made our first flight in 1931 which is remarkable, considering the Wright Brothers were around in 1907.”

Having a go in the glider is somehow both relaxing and exhilarating. The instructor was Owen Anderson, a local man and an obviously highly experienced glider pilot who has been a member for most of his life.

A quick safety demonstration completed and a few routine checks, your reporter was strapped in and ready to go. After the initial take-off, which involves being towed by a Tugg plane along the grassy runway at Bellarena before the force of the air pushes the glider skyward, it isn’t long before you are soaring high above the ground.

After the connection with the Tugg plane is severed, the pilot takes the glider hundreds of feet skyward, powered by nothing more than a gust of wind. From the edge of the clouds, the glider is silent enough to allow easy conversation although the views are stunning enough to render each speechless. From above, the winding Roe glints in the sun and Binevenagh looms a little less large.