Land Rover Firefly Fire Engine 1961 | Season 3 - Episode 43

👋 Hey friends! In this video, we are featuring the story of a 1961 'Firefly' Land Rover Works fire engine that was used in the Gaeltarra Industrial Estate, Derrybeg, Co Donegal. We are Ireland Made® the Irish transport archive. Our mission is to celebrate and preserve stories of Irish transport past and present for the benefit of future generations. If it has wings, wheels or it floats and there is an Irish connection, we share the story. ++++ Check out our supporters-only video stories available to view on the 'Ireland Made' page on the www.patreon.com membership platform Follow Ireland Made for two new videos each week. ++++ ⬇️ Have you a story about an Irish Works fire engine? Comment below ⬇️ 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 operated from 1957 to 1980 as an Irish state industrial development agency creating two major industrial estates in Derrybeg (County Donegal) and Spiddal (County Galway). The initiatives successfully generated jobs and revitalised rural communities. The Gaeltarra 'Firefly' fire engine was available on a regular Land Rover 88” or as in this case 109” Series 2A 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 in the UK. 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 aluminium 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. Firefly Land Rover fire engine specifications: Make: Land Rover Model: 109 Series 2A Year: 1961 Engine: 2289cc petrol Conversion: Firefly by Fire Armour Ltd Crew: driver + plus 2 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 recently 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 Check out our supporters-only videos on the Ireland Made website www.irelandmade.ie and our free back catalogue of Irish transport videos. Follow Ireland Made for two new videos every week. Do you have an Irish transport story past or present you would like us to feature? Email us here info@irelandmade.ie +++++++++++ Purchase a downloadable print and support the work of the Ireland Made archive in preserving stories of Irish transport past & present – we have produced over 230 videos to date. Check out our downloadable motor and scooter accessories print advertisements from the 1960s https://irelandmade.ie/product/product-5/ ++++++++++ Sources of Information: Aidan Fisher Brand new Retro Fire Service Trust (Irish Works Fire Engine Collection) – Martin Thompson Land Rover Heritage Collection Pat Cullen & Dave Armstrong Wiki Our thanks to David Goulding #irelandmade #landrover #series2a #firefly #hcbangus #gaeltarra #donegal #derrybeg #fireservice #workdsfireservice This video post is copyrighted© to Ireland Made not to be copied or reproduced without permission.

Added 11 Apr 2026