Now almost 29 years old after forming in 1979, we felt that it was necessary to include a piece on the history of our club. It was kindly penned by one of our founder members and life long scooter enthusiast, Mr. Paul Hoey. He maintains that the full story would need a book to describe the memories of 29 years of scootering, so he did his best to keep it to this. We hope it brings back memories for all the scooterists that the club has met over the years.

“Having gotten over the outbreak of punk, and safely discarding of the pins, chains and razorblades, it was quite obvious with the aid of the media and the melody maker that it was the dawning of a new era, a new reaction, a new direction. This was “MOD”.
A new generation draped in stay pressed suits, desert boots, parkas and plenty of attitude. This was the’79 mod revival.
My brother Michael and I were big into the scene. Followed by three like-minded guys, we called ourselves the 5:15’s. With more lads seeing the light through the summer of ’79 and myself and Mick’s purchase of two Capri scooters’ the Carlow Jaguar Scooter Club was formed. That was September 1979.

The first Mod gathering was on Rosslare Strand, and our first meeting with the Cork Scooter Club. Many memorable times followed in Cork. Some great nights in the Phoenix listening to the Hot Guitars with Aidan Quigley, Minnie, Mick Noonan, Finbar and Jean, all class A Mod’s. So many faces come to mind, oh yeah and some guy called “Irish Jack”. Not sure if anybody heard of him!!!
Like all the clubs back then, we were 99% dedicated modernists with the clubs next outings taking us to Tramore in 1980, ’81, ’82, ’83, a trip to Dingle, also in ’83. We were living the Quadrophenia dream all the way.
Naturally the next thing was to organise an event in Carlow. So we had an all-nighter in 1984, which is remembered for so many reasons, such as the Gardai closing it down at 2am, the bar getting broken into and cleared out (hello to the Waterford lads). Riots in the town after the showing of Quadrophenia in Archie’s, scooters getting vandalised, and finally all the proceeds being gambled away (hello to Dave and Manfred).
The Pan-am mod run was in 1985, one bike from overseas and some of our members made the journey. It turned out to be a good laugh with the Blades putting on a good show. Some of our members even made it into the feature in edition one of Scootering.
We had decided to form a music club to accompany the scooter club, so over the next few years we held many all-dayers in Carlow under the name Elite society. Another member Adrian Townsend aka Soul Man started The Chosen Few Soul Club, which also held many memorable events.
Now with many members in the club and a good scene around the town, in June 1990 we decided to hold a scooter rally in Carlow. The rally, that turned out to be an excellent weekend was held in the Deerpark and probably set new standards for rally’s to come. Tony Class and Ady Croasdale kept us going all weekend. A classic.
With things going great in ’91, the club organised a trip to Athlone for the Easter rally. This turned out to be a very sad event as one of our members Benny Keating, along with Una O’ Brien from Limerick were tragically killed in a scooter accident. This had a huge impact on all members of C.J.S.C and our thoughts are still very much with them both. A benefit all nighter was held in Athlone the same year.
In Oct ’91 two of our members decided to put on a major event in Carlow. Under the name Grove n’ Move they brought Bad Manners to Carlow. Again this is remembered for many reasons, such as free magic mushrooms, plenty of purple ohms, Bad Manners on stage at 4am in a marquee on the side of a hill at the Glenside and Tony Class drinking whiskey and mushroom tea. Another classic.
Two more rallies were held in the Deerpark in ’92 and ’93 but due to the Athlone tragedy and the dance scene taking over, members were falling away and the interest was hitting a low point. Scooters were in sheds rather than on the roads. Only a few active members were left to support the club, mainly Cathal and Mags Brennan.
Both of who flew the C.J.S.C flag at many a rally over the next few years. Another turning point in the club was late’96 when the Bradshaw brothers, Dave and Martin returned after ten years of filling their pockets with sterling. Martin being a DJ got straight into the grove with no hesitation, and with a few others formed the Soul Clan soul club.
By 1998 we were winning best-attended club, so after attending Wildcry, Gorey, Bray, Sheerbeer/Mingehunters and Southern Alliance, it was decided to hold our own rally.
We held a mini rally in Oct ’99 on the last bank holiday before the Millennium. A good night was had by all, so the next step was to hold a bank holiday rally. The following year, 2000, was the clubs 21st anniversary. We held a rally in June and brought over the Riffs, who were excellent. Another rally in June 2001 saw Tommy Hunt perform in Timolin and what a memorable performance it was. On Xmas 2001 we held a night in Scraggs Alley with Skunk. Xmas 2002 saw us raffling a scooter at our Xmas do. 2003 was a year of mixed emotions as one of our members Ollie McGrath passed away. Not a big rally going scooterist but dedicated nonetheless and sadly missed. June 2003 saw both ourselves and Sheerbeer holding a rally due to genuine misunderstanding by both clubs. This was resolved for 2004 and we held our 25th anniversary rally in Carlow Town Hurling Club. The Friday night was a celebration of soul and was an excellent night. The Saturday night was a celebration of the Mod and scooterist scene with the Modfathers giving a top class performance. Even going to the campsite for an acoustic set after the gig. A brilliant set from Irish Terry Brock topped off the weekend.
After attending the Lambretta rally where nine members made the journey the club then headed for Clonmel. It was compliments of the Southern Alliance S.C/The South East Raiders S.C on the August bank holiday weekend at The Hidden Inn, Kilmanahan. Another great weekend had by all.
Seven members travelled to Dublin in Oct for the Run for the Coombe which had a great turn out, about 90 scooters in total.’05 and ’06 too were good years, with the club continuing to grow and many rallies and functions attended.

Carlow has seen countless soul do’s and scooter nights. It would be impossible to talk about them all. I think it’s true to say that for one of the smaller counties in our great land that we have made quite an impact on the Mod and scootering scene over the years. We currently have eighteen members, and the usual number of bikes in the sheds. Recently, a couple of new bikes have appeared in the town, so the future is looking bright.
We have regular ride outs and meetings, and anyone in the area who wishes to join is more than welcome.
I think it’s true to say that we have a fine scooter club, because of all the members, past and present, over the last 28 years. To have made so many friends, with the same interest’s over the years. So many mates who have stuck together through thick and thin, up’s and down’s. They will be friends for life”