The Blue Plaque Trail: First Garage in Ireland

In 1900 Ireland's first garage was opened in Catherine Street by William F. Peare in partnership with Alderman Sir William Goff who bought the very first car sold by the garage, a French De Dion Buton and has the distinction of being Ireland's first car owner. In 1901 Peare began assembling motorized tricycles - the beginnings of Ireland's motor manufacturing industry. During World War I Peare served as a Captain in the British army and the company went into decline and was forced into liquidation in 1917. However that same year the business was taken over by John Kelly, a local business man and continued to operate from the Catherine Street site until the business moved to the Cork Road.

Waterford Civic Trust has installed numerous Blue Plaques in the city to commemorate a link between a particular location and a famous person or event.