When Irish Headlights Are Shining

New York March 17, 2014; Benjamin Preston writing for the NYT reported that Ireland’s most significant contribution to automotive history may have been genealogical: Henry Ford’s father was an Irish immigrant, and in 1917 the automaker, already wildly successful, reconnected with his roots by opening a factory in Cork. Although the plant closed in 1984, Henry Ford & Sons still operates there as a sales enterprise for Ford Motor.

Renault has also built cars in Ireland, as have British Leyland, Datsun and Toyota. And John Z. Delorean produced about 9,200 of his DMC-12 sports cars in Northern Ireland in 1981-82.

Ireland also managed to spawn a few of its own marques through the years, though they were short-lived and mostly uncelebrated. According to the Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars 1885-1968, the Alesbury — a car powered by a Massachusetts-made Stevens-Duryea engine and riding on solid tires was produced in Ireland from 1907-08.

Half a century later came the Shamrock, an ill-fated quasi-copy of big American cars of the era — but only in its bodywork. The car had a short, 98-inch wheelbase and overhangs that caused observers at the time to compare it to a parade float. Even worse, it was powered by an anemic 53-horsepower 1500 cubic-centimeter 4-cylinder engine. Amid money troubles, the company was only able to crank out eight of the fiberglass-bodied cars.

In the 1980s, the Thompson Motor Company built the TMC Costin, a bug-eyed roadster reminiscent of 1940s Formula One cars and named for its designer, Frank Costin. Fewer than 40 were built before the company closed in 1987.

The history of Ford in Ireland From Ford Motor Company

Over 160 years ago, Henry Ford’s grandfather, John, and father, William, left their Irish homeland in search of prosperity in the ‘New World.’

Never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined that William’s eldest son would grow up to establish one of the greatest business empires in the world. Henry Ford’s inventions and production methods were to change the lives of millions and the effects of his genius would be felt all over the world –not least in the land of his ancestors, Ireland.

Here's where you can find out about Ford's unique and long history in Ireland, both as a company and of the origins of the Ford family.