The proud owner of a motor car with family insists on having the moment he takes possession recorded for posterity(?) If so, this experience would probably be marked with a series of "selfies" today. I wonder who Mr. Peare was, and what make was that new fangled motoring car?
And so the first thing we learned today is that this is not the buyer, but the seller of the car. Mr Peare (in the driving seat) was the owner of what
Niall McAuley and
ofarrl have told us was the first motor garage in Ireland, opened in 1900. The second thing learned was the location, which
beachcomberaustralia tells us is the courthouse in Waterford - Poole's "go to" spot for outdoor commissions. The third lesson was on the
Gladiator motorcar - very likely the then new 10 horse-power tonneau model. Finally, with inputs from Niall,
Carol Maddock, and
Dún Laoghaire Micheál we understand that the car was bought by Raymond de la Poer (whose family had an
estate,
greenhouses and the staff to manage it, 6 miles outside the city). Micheál's grand-uncle may even have driven the car - as one-time motorman and chauefuer to the estate.....
Photographer:
A. H. Poole
Collection:
Poole Photographic Studio, Waterford
Date: c.6 April 1906
NLI Ref:
POOLEWP 1540
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at
catalogue.nli.ie
Info:
Owner:
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Source:
Flickr Commons
Views: 19959
Niall McAuley
1901 census shows only one Peare in Waterford, Wm F Peare. He is not in Catherine St. on that date, but he is listed as a Motor Car Manufacturer, not a common trade at the time. By 1911 he is in Newtown, married to local woman Hester, and father of six. He is listed as Managing direct Motor and Electrical Engineer.
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
He had a different car the next week - show off ! catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000591764
Niall McAuley
I believe his wife was née Hester Olive MacKesy.
Carol Maddock
https://www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia He had access to loads of cars! We've heard of William aka Bill Peare before, but it was fadó fadó... https://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland/6531108775/
Niall McAuley
WI was Waterford city, WI-1 beginning in January 1904. The Motor Directory for 1911-12 has that car registered to Raymond De La Poor of Kilmacow, Waterford.
Niall McAuley
The wheel hubs read "Gladiator".
Niall McAuley
Niall McAuley
The window behind is distinctive, compare this first floor window at the Bishop's Palace in streetview.
Carol Maddock
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley I'd imagine that's a typo in the directory. More likely one of the de la Poers?
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
I hadn't heard of Gladiator cars before - cycles, cars, and terrific posters - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiator_Cycle_Company upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Cycles_gladia...
Niall McAuley
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia] Hardy woman!
Niall McAuley
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]] Likely Raymond De La Poer
Niall McAuley
There is a blue plaque (streetview) on the premises in Catherine St. saying : In 1900 William F. Peare established Ireland's first motor garage in this building
Carol Maddock
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley What the hell is (allegedly) Y.P.D.L.?! Looking at the original census image, is it J.P. for Justice of the Peace? And DL?
Niall McAuley
According to www.thepeerage.com/p38084.htm#i380838: He gained the rank of officer in the service of the 15th Regiment. He held the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.) of County Kilkenny. He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for County Kilkenny. He held the office of High Sheriff of County Kilkenny in 1889. He lived at Kilcronagh, County Kilkenny, Ireland.
sharon.corbet
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] Deputy Lieutenant?
Carol Maddock
https://www.flickr.com/photos/scorbet Excellent, ta!
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
Possibly on the right side of the Courthouse? - see window and column details - https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/5229348811/ Streetview doesn't go there
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
Yes! Definitely the south-east corner of the Courthouse - catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000340023
Niall McAuley
https://www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia Well done! I'm a bit lost if Streetview doesn't go there!
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
Even has the squiggle in front of the rear door - www.gracesguide.co.uk/File:Im1906Au-Glad129.jpg
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Excellent - Thanks all. So not the buyer of a new motor car, but the seller! William and Hester's children would seem to have been too young (even by the 1911 census) for the lad pictured to have been an immediate family member - an employee perhaps?
oaktree_brian_1976
nice car
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
The fellow riding shotgun is Mr Apple.
Dún Laoghaire Micheál
My grand uncle (1880 - 1958) was on the staff of Gurteen Le Paor. Having been trained as a "motor engineer", he was initially employed as chauffeur and later was recorded as a "Steward" on the estate (there were a dozen or so of these). He travelled with the Le Paor family on the continent. Unfortunately, I dont recognise either gentlemen as belong to my handsome clan. (Maybe he got to run ahead with the flag). Here he is in France in 1934
xpisto1
Isn't our first car special for all of us? I still have the receipt for my mother's fist car, an Austin 7, which she bought in 1936.
ofarrl
This is another photo of W.F. Peare with the first motor tricycle assembled in Ireland. This was also taken at the Courthouse.
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Brilliant - The peal of the bells and echo of klaxons have still not faded here: • Ding - location confirmation • Dong - date confirmation • Klang - subject confirmation (person) • Klunk* - subject confirmation (machine) • RingRingRing - familial connections!! Thanks all! (* Need to get that one fixed....)
sam2cents
Watson and Holmes out for a spin. It's a lovely image.
Hannahs Lens
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/ thanks for favourites. Now my Dublin photos don't match up to these, I love reading all the history and info on photos, It's one of my favourite Flickr Groups, Thanks.
ilgunmkr - Still Mourning The Loss Of My Wife , bu
What a magnificent "brass era" automobile!
clairenew7850
I know his relations who still live in Waterford. Lovely family.