Speaking shortly after the event, Mr Quinn said the occasion had been meaningful, particularly with family and colleagues around him.
‘‘It was lovely. Beautiful surroundings, everyone was so kind,’’ he said.
‘‘I had my family with me, my granddaughter, my colleague Josie [Spillane].’’
Mr Quinn, who grew up in Scotland and spent much of his early working life in gumboots, said the moment gave him a chance to reflect on the scale of what had been built.
‘‘It’s all the work we’ve done. It makes you feel pretty good about everything you’ve been doing,’’ he said.
‘‘It definitely helps validate all the crazy stuff I’ve done.’’
He has also supported young drivers through the Tony Quinn Foundation, including Formula1’s Liam Lawson. It has also backed community initiatives, including mental health support and road safety programmes.
But his focus remains firmly on the future.
‘‘I think there’s always something to be done next,’’ he said.
‘‘The next few years will lay the foundation for the next 10 years.’’
Even so, Mr Quinn admitted he embraced the occasion.
‘‘There were fancy cakes, macaroons, lovely people — I even bought a new pair of shoes,’’ he said. — Allied Media
