From carriage to car

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.

A Piece of Cork's Motoring Heritage. This apprenticeship indenture dates from 1900 and records the training of Dominic O...
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.

As many of you will know, our company Johnson &  Perrott has a long history dating back to 1810. I am delighted to annou...
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.

From £190… to 2025. Some things come full circle.Back in August 1911, in the pages of the Cork Examiner, Johnson & Perro...
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

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