by Frank Corr
Monday 19th June 2006
Participants in a CAR gathering at the headquarters of Motor Distributors Ltd. on Dublin's Naas Road on June 19th., were treated to glimpses of Irish motoring history within the modern sales, distribution and servicing facility of one of Ireland's leading motor distribution companies.
Larry Mooney, former champion driver and MDL executive joined with Denis Dowdall in conducting a Guided Tour of the complex, beginning with a walk down 'Memory Lane'.
As the Luas glided by outside the railings of MDL, the attention of the group was directed to Times Past as Larry and Denis spoke about the set of murals painted on the walls of the main office corridor which trace the development of the O'Flaherty family business from its service garage origins through assembly
and vehicle distribution. The murals depict many of the marques assembled and distributed by the company including Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes and Mazda and feature some of the personalities who headed the various departments and branches of the company over the years.
Eamon Farrell, director and group secretary, then led the group on a tour of the complex including the parts department and MUTEC, the commercial vehicle distribution and servicing facility where they were greeted by general manage John Connolly and parts manager Michael Normoyle.
The highlight of the day for many was a visit to the MDL Car Museum which features magnificent examples of Mercedes and Volkswagen models including a replica of the Benz Patent Motor Car, the world"s first petrol driven car, which first appeared in 1886. Just two year's younger is the Benz Veto
Comfortable, the first petrol driven car to be imported into Ireland.
Originally owned by Dr. John Colohan and described in loving detail in the book 'Wheels and Deals' by the late John O"Donovan, the car has been magnificently restored with the support of MDL.
The Benz 8/18 dating from 1911 was a centre of attention as were the nine Mercedes dating from 1935 to 1977 including the 300SL Gullwing from 1955 (long before John Delorean), and a sleek 300SL Roadster from 1961. The display a includes the final Mercedes 230 4 and VW Beetle to be built by MDL in 1977- the
year in which assembly at the complex came to an end.
A jolly lunch followed during which Bob Prole thanked MDL for its hospitality and complemented chef Martin O'Dowd of Brompton Catering on his culinary excellence
CAR Group visits Motor Distributors Lid. June 19th 2006 Standing L to R Pat Meehan, Bob Waddell, Leo Keogh, Des Cullen, Colm Bevan, Jim Farrell (MDL), Colm Kennedy, Justin Lynch, Jack Fahy, Dick Humphreys, Tony Keoghan, Frank Corr, Eamon Farrell (MDL), Pat Naismith, Des Miller, Tony Touhy, Brian Peare, Gene Mangan, John Young. Seated Ann Kelly, Maurice Cavey, Frank Mulvin, Eileen Maguire, Leo Booth, Maeve Casey, Hugh Crawford, Jim Barton, Denis Dowdall. Front Seoirse de Burca, Bill Huggard, Larry Mooney, Mary Huggard, Robert Prole, Norman Williams, Alison Galbraith, Peter Lynch. |