About Us
Posted by Aaron Donohoe
A tale of Irish History…
The Motor Vehicle Preservation Society of Ireland was set up back in May 2004 to incorporate all areas of the Irish Transport scene. Along with preserving some examples of our Irish heritage from ships to tractors, buses to bicycles, fire appliances to luxury coaches.
Our society, which has been operating for the past 3 years now has expanded to become one of the largest single transportation enthusiast society within the Republic of Ireland, an achievement which reflects in each of our members, who have helped this group by providing services, vehicles or a helping hand to ensure our society continues to grow and ensure our existing vehicles are kept well maintained and gleaming throughout the year.
We have been delighted to secure a workshop in Wicklow, where we can now overhaul, manufacture and repair components for all our vehicles, as well as house our offices, which are already bursting with enquiries about our group and how we can help vehicles lying up across the country.
During the past few years, we have received a number of vehicles some of which are restored and some which are undergoing restoration presently. With our large network of members, sponsors, associates and also along with other transport preservation groups we have managed to become Ireland’s Largest Transport Enthusiast Society which has been a great honor to our society, which came from only one vehicle back in 2004, to over forty which are included in the society, as well as an astonishing 2,411 other vehicles which are associated with our group.
Now having rolled into 2008 we have expanded further a-field as our society grows at an amazing rate, we have opened our wide range of services up to all vintage enthusiasts, as well as shortly providing a full vintage service for weddings, special occasions etc, as most of our buses and cars have passed all the relevant test to carry passengers in the European community. Our website has been expanded to a whole new level also, giving you the visitor a glimpse into the Vintage transport scene, Irish Style!
Chairmans Message
As another year fly’s passed us at immense speed, it is hard to remember our past experiences of this country only three decades ago. But as time has wandered on so has technology, bringing more comfort, reliability, speed as well as technology to Ireland’s roads.
As with every year, some veterans of the current Irish Road Transport fleet make a gracious exit, it is hard to find a glimpse of our former times, as the race for the 08 number plate continues.
Alas this is a great sign of the times, more new vehicles on the roads, every new vehicle replacing an existing vehicle and gradually cascading down so that a classic vehicle is finally withdrawn and its fate resting in the hands of anyone who can revive it before the cutting torch arrives.
It gives me great appreciation to be contacted by more and more people directly each year, wondering if we would be interested in taking a look at a vehicle which has been withdrawn from the roads mainly due to the age. We have found some gems over the past, as well as the odd vegetated chassis, but each one is recorded and possibly might find someone to give it some love and attention it deserves in its retirement.
But its not all doom and gloom, as we are delighted to welcome so many new people to the Preservation scene, especially the younger generations as skills that are on the verge of extinction can be somewhat passed on to the younger people of Irish society. I am honoured to have been elected Chairman of the MVPSI for another year, as I feel we are heading in an amazing turn-around having other transport enthusiast clubs and groups fall through in the past few years, we remain to hold the title of Ireland’s largest and fastest growing society, along with a growing awareness that older vehicles can once again retake to the roads.
Once again I would like to personally thank you, the readers, who have helped shape this society and ensure that our Irish heritage is not forgotten as well as any people who have helped in volunteering over the past 12 months, and lest me not forget those who have donated vehicles to us or provided parts. Thank you all and a prosperous 2008 to you and yours…
Go n-eiri an bothar leat…
Stephen Payne,
Chairman 2008
Internal Officials, Managers & Members of the Committee, 2007 - 2008
Administration –
| Chairman: | Stephen Payne |
| Secretary: | Karl Roche |
| Operations Manager: | Aaron Donohoe |
| Vehicle Manager: | Karl Roche |
| Depot Supervisor: | Kwaku Fortune |
| Vehicle Archivist: | Stephen Lynch |
| Honorary President: | Michael Porter |
| Chief Engineer: | Stephen Payne |
| Treasurer: | Aaron Donohoe |
| Press Officer & Event Manager: | James McCann |
| Transportation Consultant: | Patrick Donohoe |
| Health & Safety Officers: | Aaron Donohoe & Stephen Payne |
Maintenance Team Supervisors –
| Supervisor: | Stephen Payne |
| Bodywork & Paintwork: | Charles Martin |
| Electrical: | John Corcoran & Stefan Lacey |
| Pneumatics & Suspension: | Aaron Donohoe |
| Brakes & ‘TELMA’: | Jonathon Fortune |
| Interior Design & Upholstery: | Jennifer Bergin & Una Mahon |
| Plant Technicians: | Karl Roche & Wayne McMahon |
| Welding & Metalwork: | K.T Lawless |
| Period Artwork & Decoration: | Jessica Snell |
| External & Internal Fixings: | Stephen Lynch |
Committee Members – Up to 21st September 2008
|
Stephen Payne |
|
Karl Roche |
|
Aaron Donohoe |
|
Kevin Mulvey |
|
Gerry Johnston |
|
Fred Rainert |
|
Michael Grimes |
|
Jennifer Bergin |
|
Kwaku Fortune |
|
Michael Porter |
|
Stephen Lynch |
Photographers:
|
Stephen Payne |
|
Aaron Donohoe |
|
Stephen Lynch |
|
Karl Roche |