Cabra History.Com

Terence Rowan was born in County Cork and through various means his family eventually moved to Drumcliffe Road in Cabra West. Terence met his wife Marie when they lived across the road from each other on Drumcliff Road. In later years as young sweethearts they were married in the Precious Blood church on Fassaugh Avenue. After some years Terence and Marie began a clothing business which proved to be very successful. It was based in Thomas Street and eventually employed about 60 people.

Ever since his childhood days Terence always had a great desire to fly an airplane. So in 1958  he commenced flying as a young pilot in Weston Airfield on the outskirts of what was then South County Dublin. In later years Terence began flying out of Dublin Airport and spent six years as the Irish Aeros Club’s Honoray Chief Flight Instructor. In Ireland Terence Rowan pioneered the idea that all pilots should have instrument flight training and long distance overseas flying experience. Many of his young student pilots are now flying as professional pilots for various airlines throughout the world. So the next time you take to the air remember Terence and his great foresight and input into the world of international aviation. Terence was later appointed Chairman of the panel of flight examiners by the Department of Transport and Power Civil Aviation Division.

In the 1960s Terence was elected President of the National Aviation Club of Ireland. He is the author of a curriculum and flight training maual which is still in use today. In 1981 he was preseented with the International Tissandier Award in the preseence of Crown Prince Akihito of Japan. For a number of years Terence directed ‘Air Spectacular’ Irelands national air show.

Like so many other Cabra people Terence Rowan is a man who rose to the top of his profession both in the clothing business and in the world of international aviation through hard work and a determination to succeed. I could possibly write a whole book about Terence and the story of his life, travels and adventures. I’ll take this opportunity to say ‘Thank You’ to Terence for sharing so much of his life story with me.

Now hold on a minute because I think I can hear a song coming on, yes it’s Old Blue Eyes himself, here we go...’Come fly with me, lets fly, lets fly away. If you could use some exotic booze there’s a bar in far Bombay. Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away….’