O'Gorman Coach Builders

John Francis O'Gorman (4 February 1875 – 27 December 1943) and his brother James (6 February 1877 – 23 October 1963) came to Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland in 1899, shortly before the death of their father. They worked as apprentices at Cleary's Coachbuilder in Anglesea Street, Clonmel.

John F.O'Gorman completed his learning in London and was appointed by the Department of Agricultural and Technical Instruction, to teach the Theory of Road Carriage Building. He first traded as O'Gorman Bros, Address: 12 Wellington Street, Clonmel.[1] and advertised 'Motor Bodies of every description built on the premises'. They were special Agents for Austin, Humber and Ford cars. Shortly after the First World War, John F. O'Gorman went to Germany and captured the first main dealership in Ireland for Mercedes-Benz cars.

The 'O'Gorman' Coachbuilding business grew around 1920, when John F. O'Gorman bought and built a factory located at Prior Park, Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland. He also bought the stately 'Prior Park' house, which doubled as a store area, for the company. Together with his brother Jim, they made various horse-drawn two and four wheel vehicles. They also manufactured traps, gigs, landaus, jaunting carts, carriages, floats and dray carts. The main business however, was building bus, coach, van and lorry bodies.[2]

Around 1920 the stately Prior Park house and grounds were bought by J.F. O'Gorman (who owned the garage in Parnell Street). Much of the finance for this purchase, came from his first wife Margaret.

On part of the grounds near Clonmel railway station, a large factory was built, to make bodywork for road vehicles. A separate building was also constructed as a Varnish area. After J.F.O'Gorman's death, the site was sold to Curran Signs & Graphics Ltd. When Curran moved, the factory was sold to developers and it is now, residential Ormonde Court.

Prior Park house, lived in by John F. O'Gorman and his large family,[12][13] was originally a girls' boarding school (run by Quakers). The basement and unused servants' quarters were used to hold company stores. After his death in 1943, ownership passed to his second wife Catherine. When she died in 1970 it was passed to three of their children, who were living there at the time. Prior Park House was demolished in 1997 and the area is now, Redwood Gardens, named after the giant California redwood trees that used to grow around the grounds.[14] The area is still known as 'Prior Park', which is north of the Oakville Estate.[15]

John F. O'Gorman was reared near Glennagat, close to New Inn, County Tipperary. He had two sons from his first wife, Margaret Smyth of Ardfinnan, County Tipperary (1878–1927). After her death he married again on 16 January 1929, Catherine O'Brien of Shanagolden, County Limerick (1902 - 20 October 1970) and they had 5 boys and 4 girls.[16] Whilst in Clonmel, J.F.O'Gorman lived at: (1) 17 Dillon Street (He originally didn't have an 'O' in his surname)[17] (2) 6 Prince Edward's Place (renamed to Dr Croke Place)[18](3) Sweetbriar Lodge (4) Prior Park House.

He became well known locally, for his business skills and entrepreneurship. In his obituary in The Nationalist, it describes him as having exceptional ability and he took a keen interest in the development of Irish industry generally and worked for its advancement for many years, especially in Clonmel. It also reported that he was largely responsible for the formation of the Irish Motor Traders' Association. A body now called SIMI, Society of the Irish Motor Industry, which was formed when the Society of the Irish Motor Traders Ltd and the Irish Motor Traders Association merged in 1968.

In April 1925 a group of local business people including John F. O'Gorman established the Clonmel Chamber of Commerce — J.F. O'Gorman was elected as their first president. William Magner (famous for Magners cider manufactured in Clonmel) was elected as vice president.[19]

In April 1922 and April 1934, high quality 'hlass negative' photographs, were taken by A H Poole & Co. In 2012, some were placed on the internet by the National Library of Ireland (NLI).[20] They are of vehicles being built at Prior Park garage and the shop front in Parnell Street. They include a picture of J.F.O'Gorman, the directors, workers, the factory premises, Prior Park house and various machinery in the workshop.[21][22][23][24]

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  A trap by the River Suir, Clonmel, built by O'Gorman Bros.
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  Bodywork by O'Gormans
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  O'Gormans factory
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  GODKIN & Co van built by O'Gormans
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  Prior Park house shortly before it was demolished in 1997
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  Mercedes-Benz Chassis. Bodywork by O'Gorman Bros.
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  The Mayor of Clonmel presents a newly built Ford outside the factory
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  Company headed paper
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  Bodywork by O'Gorman Bros. (with different type of front & rear wheels)