April 2017 marks 100 years of Ford in Ireland and to celebrate this milestone Ford will have a significant presence in this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Cork City on Friday 17 March, writes Trish Whelan.
The parade will be led by a range of Ford models highlighting the decades of production at the Ford plant in Cork.
Ford has partnered with Cork City Council in the erection of a large banner at a stand out site on Grand Parade in Cork City that highlights Ford’s unique historical connection with the City of Cork. The image depicts the iconic Ford Model T (pictured below) which was the car that Henry Ford used ‘to bring motoring to the masses’. It was also one of the many Ford models to be built at the Ford plant, with the last ever Model T produced in the world rolling off the Cork production line in 1928.
Ford’s participation in the parade includes a bespoke Ford 100 pageant display created by Cork’s renowned Dowtcha Puppets company.
“We are delighted to be involved with the 2017 parade and to be working with Cork City Council and Dowtcha Puppets. Ford has a unique legacy in Cork and indeed, Ireland, so it’s important that we celebrate and mark the occasion appropriately,” said Ciaran McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland.
Lord Mayor, Cllr Des Cahill commented “Ford transformed Cork 100 years ago, positively impacting thousands of Cork homes and at its peak, the company provided employment for some 7,000 people. Since then, they have maintained a longstanding relationship with the City and the Lord Mayor’s Office. A century on, Cork City Council is extremely pleased to recognise Ford’s contribution to the city through their participation in this year’s Cork St Patrick’s Day Parade.”
The 2017 Cork St Patrick’s Festival will take place from Friday, 17 March to Sunday 19 March with the Cork St Patrick’s Day Parade taking place at 1pm on Friday.
