Following the revival of hot air ballooning in the early 1960's a group of aviation enthusiasts from the Irish Aviation Club decided to introduce the sport to Ireland.

An ideal opportunity to demonstrate a hot air balloon to the general public arose when the Rothmans Air Rally was scheduled to take place at Ballyfree, Co. Wicklow in June 1968.

Christopher Martin, a member of the IAC, made arrangements to bring a beautiful orange coloured balloon over from England for the event.

The balloon, an AX6 Brighton 65 registered G-AWJB owned by Malcolm Brighton, was flown at Ballyfree by American balloonist Bill Malpas on 2nd June 1968.

To the delight of the spectators it ascended majestically into the evening sky and became the first hot air balloon to fly in Ireland.

Chris Martin then placed an advertisement in the National newspapers inviting anyone interested in forming a ballooning club to attend a meeting at Wynn's Hotel in Dublin on 14th June 1968. This small gathering of about thirty people resulted in the formation of the Dublin Ballooning Club.

The new ballooning club immediately set about acquiring a balloon. The main obstacle was the shortage of finance and it was two years later when Lyons Tea were persuaded to contribute £1000 in sponsorship. The shortfall of £1500 required to purchase a balloon was loaned by David Synnott who was then the club secretary.

A balloon was ordered from Don Piccard in California and arrived in Ireland at the end of June 1970 and was assigned the registration number EI-ATM by the Department of Transport and Power. It was 57,000 cu.ft. and black in colour, and immediately became known as 'Tar Baby'.

It made its first flight in Ireland on 28th June from the home of David Synnott at Furness Estate near Kill in Co. Kildare which then became the centre of ballooning activity in Ireland.

Don Piccard stayed at Furness for two weeks and instructed airline captain and committee member Mike Alexander in the art of piloting this amazing new flying machine. With less than two hours experience Mike then had the task of instructing other club members.

'Tar Baby' entertaining the crowds at Robertstown Festival, Co. Kildare in 1969.

The Dublin Ballooning Club acquired its second balloon EI-ANP later that year thanks to sponsorship from Jacob's biscuits. Unfortunately the balloon was badly damaged during the making of a television commercial and was grounded for over a year. When it was repaired and returned to service it became known as 'Yellow Peril'.

Both balloons represented Ireland at the First World Championship in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1973. Mike Alexander competed in 'Yellow Peril and David Hooper in 'Tar Baby'

Yellow Peril' flying in the Sandia mountains with David Hooper and Wilf Woollett on board following the First World Championship at Albuquerque.

Throughout the 70's there was a gradual increase in club membership with some eager to learn to fly while others were just interested in being involved with this unusual form of aviation. Some pilots were keen to avail of every flying opportunity and to travel to some of the foreign balloon meetings and therefore opted to buy their own balloons. Fortunately this relieved the demand on ageing club equipment.

'Scath na Greine' a 65,000 cu.ft. Cameron 'O' type was purchased in March 1976 and registered EI-BBM. It carried banner advertising for several sponsors during its lifetime which assured the survival of the Dublin Ballooning Club.

Scath na Greine' at Kilkenny Castle during the Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championship in 1980.

The 7Up balloon was acquired by the DBC and re-registered EI-BSQ. It was tethered at the 25th anniversary celebrations of Cork Airport on 16th October 1986 and made its first free flight in Ireland later that day at Cashel, Co. Tipperary. The Certificate of Airworthiness was cancelled in 1989.

EI-BGT known as 'Plonk' was one of the last balloons to be manufactured at the Colting Balloons factory in Tullamore. It was owned by Kevin Haugh before it was purchased by the DBC in 1994 and re-registered EI-BBM. It was used for pilot training and routine club flying until it was sold in 1998.

In 1987 the Club was fortunate to receive sponsorship from Aer Rianta and a new envelope was bought from Cameron Balloons in Bristol. EI-BVC was launched on 26th September 1987 at the Aer Rianta Sports Centre at Dublin Airport and retired from service on 20th May 1998.

The club's current aerostat is a 77,000 cu.ft. Thunder & Colt which was originally sponsored by Ryanair and flown by Kevin Haugh. The registration number is EI-BGT.