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Richard finally managed his hot air balloon flight on the 19th January 1785, an event which was attended by a huge crowd. He landed safely on the north strand. A report of the day states: "The balloon and chariot were beautifully painted, and the arms of Ireland emblazoned on them in superior elegance of taste. . . His aerial dress consisted of a robe of oiled silk, lined with white fur, his waistcoat and breeches in one, of white satin quilted, and morocco boots, and a montero cap of leopard skin. The Duke of Leinster, Lord Charlemont, Right Hon. George Ogle, . . attended with white staves, as regulators of the business of the day." The teller here, Deirdre, is a wonderfully inventive and witty writer from Galway who writes the blog gunstreetgirls.blogspot.ie.
