HISTORY OF VSOC IRELAND    

How it all began...                                                               

The founding members in Ireland are Brian O'Callaghan-Westropp, Ade Casey ,Steve Clark and Jeff Loughnane

Brian lived in the UK for many years and was a member of centre 8. He married and returned to Ireland.  Ade has lived in Ireland all his life and he and Brian have been friends for.... well a long time. Ade a  has a keen interest in bikes and the two of them travelled across to the UK to attend many VSOC rallies. While at one of these rallies they met up with Steve Clark who is from Coleraine and was an associate member of Centre 6 they got talking and decided it was time to start an Irish Centre of the VSOC. Having approached the committee it was decided that Ireland would become Centre 2 and so in July of 2005 we were born.  We have continued to grow from strength to strength since then.

We welcome members from all age group's and gender to join the club

Club History

The Virago Owners Club was formed in March 1993 by two enthusiasts living in the Cambridge Area. Since then it has become one of the largest and most professional custom bike clubs in the United Kingdom.

Our founder members

John Bryning Trained as a graphic artist, he is now Exhibition Co-ordinator for Smith & Nephew PLC, the International Medical group. A motorcyclist since the age of 16, he also spent 26 years in motorsport, mainly as a driver. He held lap records at Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Aintree. Four times voted Driver of the Meeting at Brands Hatch

Peter Healey Works as a Medical Scientific Officer at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge and has ridden bikes since the late 1950's and his motor sport career has spanned motorcross to single seater formula cars. As well as being founder member of the VOC he has been for many years, Treasurer of the Montoposto Racing Club of Great Britain

About the Club

The Club provides contact with around 1400 other Virago Star Owners for the exchange of information and advice. We keep our members informed of club activities through a professionally produced quarterly magazine called "Clatter" and through locally produced regular newsletters.

These publications also provide a free advertising medium for those wishing to sell parts and services to other members. In addition, regular monthly meetings take place at our 20 Regional Centres. More localised meetings and get-togethers also take place under the umbrella of the Centres. So there is bound to be a meeting taking place near you.

Like other owners Clubs we carry a range of motif carrying clothing and badges only available to Club members. The Club has a very valuable help line to Yamaha Motor Ltd. who fully approve of and assist the Club in many ways. All information we receive regarding owners' bikes is placed on a computer for security reasons to help recovery in the case of theft.

Our regionally organised rallies attract numbers in excess of 400 and are an excellent way of meeting with fellow club members to exchange ideas whilst enjoying a a jam-packed weekend of entertainment which normally includes live music, ride-outs and silly games.