Whilst taking a break at Treacy‘s pub near Portlaoise in the midlands of Ireland, David Kirby caught up with Ian Crowley who was en route to Skibbereen on the south coast.

Initially working as a mechanic for 10 years, Ian progressed to driving, firstly at the wheel of a Volvo dump truck for Cronin‘s of Bantry, before graduating to a Mercedes-Benz 1844 SK artic on tipper duties. Since 2001, he has been an owner-driver hauling bitumen from Dublin for the roads of his native West Cork.

According to Ian, the best bit about driving is undoubtedly his new truck. The S580, bought from Nolans of Castleisland, County Kerry, was the first of its kind in the province of Munster, replacing an R560 in May of this year. And what an impression it has made on him, “The difference over the old model is unreal!” said Ian.

His top of the range Highline model was specced with every extra available, including the full V8 pack and an air front axle. The rules and regulations made by people who don‘t understand driving is his biggest criticism of modern-day trucking in Ireland. In terms of who he would most like to meet? Kris Kristofferson, who starred in Convoy, is at the top of Ian‘s wish list.

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