placenamesCraigogantlet
Carraig Ó gCaoindealbháin
The Craigantlet hill climb gave this part of County Down a lasting place in motorsport, beginning before the First World War.
The name
These Irish name elements are associated with this record in the Logainm glossary.
An element’s translation is a clue, rather than a complete explanation of the name. Its form and meaning depend on local history and the full Irish name.
Recorded forms
- Carraig Ó gCaoindealbháin · Irish · main form
- Craigogantlet · English · main form
Place & story
Ferguson and the first climb
Paul Robinson’s history for the Ulster Transport Museum records the first Craigantlet hill climb in 1913. The Motor Traders Association’s Belfast branch organised it under Harry Ferguson’s leadership. The museum places the event in the development of early Irish motoring competitions, following the earlier Cultra meetings. Political crisis and the First World War then interrupted organised motorsport. [2]
The 1930 meeting
Motor Sport’s contemporary September 1930 report describes a well-attended Craigantlet meeting on 16 August, with separate touring-car and sports-car divisions. Competitors visiting for the Tourist Trophy added to the field. Earl Howe lowered the hill record in his Mercedes, while Harry Ferguson competed in an Austin Seven. L. G. Callingham won classes in both divisions with his Alfa Romeo, showing how the meeting drew different kinds of car into timed competition. [3]
Geographic information
Sources & further reading
- Logainm.ie — Craigogantlet. Place names and geographic record, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
- The Cultra Hill Climb Legacy · Paul Robinson / Ulster Transport Museum
- Ulster Hill Climb — Motor Sport, September 1930 · Motor Sport magazine, contemporary unsigned report
Name record retrieved 2026-10-25 · Source record modified 2019-10-08. How this page was prepared.