Ten vehicles spanning 100 years of Ford participated in the St Patrick’s Day parade in Cork today, writes Trish Whelan.
The parade was led by a 1926 Ford Model T touring car with the Lord Mayor Cllr Des Cahill and Grand Marshal Rachel Allen on board.
The range of models also included: 1927 Ford Model TT one ton truck; 1929 Fordson Tractor; 1947 Ford Prefect; 1967 Ford Cortina; 1971 Ford Escort; 1973 Ford Capri; 1978 Ford Fiesta; 1984 Ford Transit; and the new Ford Mustang.
A Ford 100 pageant created by Cork’s Dowtcha Puppets also appeared in the parade. The pageant highlighted Ford through the last 10 decades, with retro style newspaper boys highlighting Ford key milestones from the past 100 years; ‘wacky racer’ style cars interacting with the crowd, each representing a decade of Ford; a three metre tall Henry Ford himself made an appearance followed by performers representing Ford factory workers.
Completing the pageant was a 4.5 meter high Ferris wheel (depicting the Ford assembly line) that displayed 10 classic Ford cars including an autonomous driving car of the future.
“With the actual centenary of Ford in Ireland falling in just four weeks’ time (on 17 April), what better way could we celebrate our rich legacy in this great city, Henry Ford’s ancestral hometown. Cork City Council really excelled themselves this year with a tremendously well organised parade full of colour and fun,” said Ciaran McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland.
Organised by Cork City Council, the 2017 Cork St Patrick’s Festival runs from today to Sunday 19 March.
Pictured above at Henry Ford & Son Ltd. offices in Cork (l to r) back row: William Cuddy with 1927 Model TT one ton truck; Keith Bryan with 1929 Fordson Tractor; Jim Foley with 1947 Ford Prefect; Albert Harte with 1967 Ford Cortina; Bob Clarke with 1971 Ford Escort; Mark Ginn with 1973 Ford Capri; Alan Deasy with 1978 Ford Fiesta; Micheal Ring with 1984 Ford Transit.
Front row: Ciarán McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland; Michael Rigney with 1926 Ford Model T touring car; Paul O'Sullivan with new Ford Mustang.
