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Monday, 17 April will mark precisely 100 years since Henry Ford established a production facility in Ireland, located on the Marina in Cork, the city which his own father had hailed from before emigrating to America during the Famine.
The establishment of the factory was significant, not just for the local economy, it also was the first example of direct investment in Ireland. Ford would continue to produce vehicles sold throughout Europe right up to 1984 before the plant became no longer viable.
To celebrate the centenary of this milestone event, not just for the Ford Motor Company but also for Ireland, a week-long series of events are due to take place. William Clay Ford, Jr., the great-grandson of Henry Ford, will be in attendance to represent the Ford Motor Company. "I am excited and honored to be coming home to Cork to celebrate 100 years of Ford in Ireland," Ford said. "Ford has deep roots in Cork, not only through my family's historical connection, but also through the impact that the Ford factory has had as an engine for prosperity for the area over many decades."
A commemorative event will take place in Ballinascarthy, his great-great-grandfather's home town along with a gala event at Cork City Hall. He will also be on hand for a special event to announce a partnership between Ford and University College Cork. Commenting on the upcoming events, Ciarán McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Ford to Cork for the centenary celebrations. What a great opportunity to mark the wonderful legacy and contribution to Cork and indeed, Ireland, that Ford has made in that 100 years."
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One thing you might not know about the unique link with Ford and Ireland is that the company established on these shores, which remains to this day, is the only Ford entity in the world that is legally known as Henry Ford & Son Ltd.