The first attempt to introduce speedway in Dublin, at Harold’s Cross in the late-1920s, was short-lived. Just as the massive post-war speedway racing boom in Britain began to tail off the sport was reintroduced in Ireland, beginning at Santry in 1948. Santry failed to establish itself as a speedway centre, but two other venues initially promised greater things.

Shelbourne Park had the highest profile between 1950 and 1952, then also staged a few meetings in the following two years. Chapelizod was equally promising, although not without ups and downs. The team began as the ‘Lizods’, became the ‘Eagles’ and ended as the ‘Falcons’.

Top names from the world of speedway were involved in promoting and competing at Chapelizod in 1951, while several local riders sought to make a name for themselves there before the track closed in 1954.

This is the story of how the Chapelizod venture began with great hopes before being undermined by the unwillingness of other promoters to join in a plan for the long-term. Lack of stability in promotion and leadership played its part in the demise of speedway at the venue, although poor weather and falling attendances ultimately forced closure. More than anything, it was a case of joining the speedway party too late, as the sport was to suffer a significant decline in Britain and Ireland during the 1950s.