On The Blower

While the Mercedes-Benz Actros is certainly a popular truck, you don’t often see them in this particular configuration

- Paul O’Callaghan

At a glance

Make & model Mercedes-Benz Actros 2548

Engine 12.8-litre OM471 six-cylinder Euro 6d

Power 480hp @ 1600rpm

Torque 2300Nm @ 1100rpm

Gearbox Powershift 12-speed auto

Operator Dunagarvan Transport

The W on the registration plate of the truck featured here signifies that it is from County Waterford, in the south east of Ireland and one of the six counties which make up the province of Munster.

The first numbers, 191 are fairly self-explanatory; the vehicle was registered in the first half of 2019, whereas vehicles registered in the second half will have 192 on the plate.

Although the last numbers, 1266 are random, it was back in the 12th century when King John of England commissioned the construction of Dungarvan Castle which still stands by the harbour to this day. The name Dungarvan however, is steeped in Irish meaning and translates as “Garbhann’s fort” referring to Saint Garbhann who founded a church there in the 7th century.

Cian Kenneally, the 28-year-old driver of the truck hails from Ring, a Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) area just outside of Dungarvan and has been working for the Horgan family who own Dungarvan Transport, on and off since he was still attending school.

After finishing education, Cian served his time as an agricultural mechanic, while his evenings were spent in the cab of a Lamborghini tractor spreading slurry on the Horgan’s dairy farm.