Ireland’s first commercial garage, Peare Motor Works was established in Waterford in 1900 by W.F. Peare (1868-1948). A Watchmakers son, Peare commended building motorised quadricycles in 1899, and the following year, in partnership with Alderman William Goff, founded Peare’s Motor Works. The first car sold by the new company, a French De Dion Buton, was purchased by Goff (later Sir William), and it is highly probable that this De Dion was the first motor car imported into Ireland. Peare’s became the country’s best known “car doctor” and motorist from near and far brought their vehicles to Waterford for repair and service. In 1901 the company began building motorised tricycles, and was almost certainly the first Irish concern to assemble and build a motor vehicle of any kind.

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