From carriage to car

Name: From carriage to car
Address: Johnson & Perrott. Mahon Point Retail Park, Cork, T12RD35, IE
Telephone: +353214615200

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From carriage to car

A written history of Johnson & Perrott and transport in Cork written by Dr Kieran McCarthy being launched in November 2026.

Johnson & Perrott - Part of the story since 1810.

13/08/2026

FIRE ! - On Tuesday, 5 January 1864, James Johnson placed this notice in the Cork Examiner following what he described as a recent “alarming fire” at his Nelson Place Coach Factory.

Despite the damage, he reassured his customers throughout the South of Ireland that the business remained fully operational and that all orders would continue to be completed in the same “elegant and substantial manner” for which the company had become known.

Fortunately, the fire had been largely contained to the area in which it began, leaving Johnson’s extensive stock of modern carriages unharmed. The notice concluded with a confident assurance: a two-year guarantee was provided with every new carriage.

More than 160 years later, this remarkable piece of our history offers a glimpse of James Johnson’s resilience, the reputation he had already established and his determination to continue serving his customers—even in the face of considerable adversity.

From carriage to car, the story continues.
Source: Cork Examiner, Tuesday, 5 January 1864.

17/07/2026

While we can't be certain of the exact date or source of this photograph, we believe it was taken sometime during the 1950s and shows the original Johnson & Perrott showrooms on Emmet Place in Cork City. (Note that the second image in colour has been run through an AI improvement.)

For generations, these premises were a familiar landmark, witnessing Cork's remarkable transition from horse-drawn transport to the motor car. Thousands of customers would have passed through these doors, whether purchasing a vehicle, having one serviced, or simply stopping by to admire the latest models of the day.

As we continue our Carriage to Car project, we're keen to uncover the stories behind photographs like this one. Do you remember the Emmet Place showroom? Can you help us narrow down the date, or do you have photographs, memories, advertisements, or documents from this era?

Every contribution helps us build a richer picture of Johnson & Perrott's history and its place in Cork City's story. We'd love to hear from you in the comments or by private message.

10/07/2026

Perhaps the first introduction of James Johnson to the people of . On Saturday, 11 May 1861, this advertisement appeared in the Cork Constitution, announcing a significant new chapter in the history of Johnson & Perrott.

After 50 years in business, R. W. Eden announced his retirement from the Nelson Place Coach Factory and introduced James Johnson as his successor, asking his customers across the South of Ireland to continue their support under its new ownership.

This was the original James Johnson of Johnson & Perrott, introducing himself publicly to the people of Cork for the first time. He was not starting a new enterprise. He was taking over a respected and well-established coach-building business that had been operating since 1810, along with its extensive stock of materials.

James Johnson was already familiar with the establishment, having completed his apprenticeship there. He had subsequently spent 15 years gaining further experience in some of the finest carriage houses in England. Now at the helm of the Nelson Place Coach Factory, he declared himself ready to accept orders for “carriages of every description”, promising the first-rate workmanship for which the business was already known.

Published decades before the arrival of the motor car, this advertisement captures an important moment in our story: the arrival of James Johnson as proprietor of a Cork business whose history continues to this day.

30/06/2026

A snapshot of Cork at work. This wonderful photograph, believed to have been taken in the mid to late 1960s, shows three Guinness-branded Bedford trucks parked outside the Johnson & Perrott premises on Emmet Place in the heart of Cork City.

Images like this are far more than a glimpse into our own history. They capture a time when local businesses depended on trusted commercial vehicles to keep the city moving, delivering goods to shops, pubs, and businesses across Cork and beyond.

For more than two centuries, Johnson & Perrott has had the privilege of serving generations of Cork businesses, adapting alongside the city's changing transport needs—from horse-drawn carriages to commercial vehicles and today's modern fleet solutions.

Do you recognise this location, the vehicles, or perhaps even someone connected with them? We'd love to hear your memories, stories, or see any photographs you may have from Cork's rich transport history.

Every image helps tell another chapter in the story of Carriage to Car.

17/06/2026

As part of his ongoing research into the history of Johnson & Perrott, Cllr Kieran McCarthy recently published a call-out in the Cork Independent seeking historical material that may help contribute to an upcoming publication on the company and its place in Cork's history.

Kieran is particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have photographs, advertisements, documents, memorabilia, family stories, or even vehicles with a connection to Johnson & Perrott. Material from former employees, customers, suppliers, or their families could all help add to the historical record.

If you have anything that you think may be of interest, please feel free to share it with us through this page or contact Kieran directly at [email protected].

Every photograph, document, and story helps us build a more complete picture of Cork's transport heritage and preserve it for future generations.

03/06/2026

A Piece of Cork's Motoring Heritage. This apprenticeship indenture dates from 1900 and records the training of Dominic O'Driscoll as a coach trimmer with Johnson & Perrott at our former premises on Emmet Place in Cork City.

Long before motor cars became commonplace, skilled craftsmen like Dominic were learning their trade in workshops where horse-drawn carriages were built, repaired and trimmed by hand. The work demanded precision, patience and craftsmanship — qualities that would become part of the Johnson & Perrott story for generations to come.

Documents like this offer a fascinating glimpse into the people behind the business. While much has changed over the past 125 years, the commitment to quality workmanship remains a thread that connects our carriage-building past with our motoring present.

This document is currently on display as part of the Carriage to Car exhibition at Cork Public Museum in Fitzgerald Park, Cork, where visitors can explore the remarkable journey of Johnson & Perrott from a carriage-building business founded in 1810 to one of Ireland's longest-established motor companies.

12/05/2026

As many of you will know, our company Johnson & Perrott has a long history dating back to 1810. I am delighted to announce that we have recently commissioned a history of our company researched and written by Kieran McCarthy.

The book entitled “From Carriage to Car” will be launched next Christmas and will be available in e-book format to the public free of charge as well as in print. Please follow us for regular updates.

Our research has uncovered a treasure trove of information and stories, and we look forward to sharing samples of this on our page in the leadup to the launch. Your support by following our page would be hugely appreciated.

01/05/2026

From £190… to 2025. Some things come full circle.

Back in August 1911, in the pages of the Cork Examiner, Johnson & Perrott were advertising Ford motor cars for sale in Cork. At the time, those cars arrived by ship in crates — assembled on-site at our premises before being handed over to their new owners.

Fast forward more than 100 years…

In Summer 2025, Johnson & Perrott once again became an official Ford dealer — this time at our Mahon Point showroom.

Same brand. Same city. Same commitment to looking after our customers. We might not be selling them for £190 anymore — but some things haven’t changed.

Johnson & Perrott - Trusted in Cork since 1810. See: www.jpmg.ie

30/04/2026

Before cars, this is how Cork moved. Long before engines and electric vehicles, the streets of Cork were shaped by horse-drawn carriages — many of them built locally.

This page is the beginning of a new project: Carriage to Car — exploring how transport in Cork has evolved over time, and the role it has played in the life of the city.

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing stories, images, and insights from the past — and bringing them to life again.

This short video looks back at a previous event held in partnership with Cork Public Museum, where part of that story was told.

There’s much more to come.

Address

Johnson & Perrott. Mahon Point Retail Park
Cork
T12RD35

Telephone

+353214615200

Website

http://www.jpmg.ie/

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