*Éamon de Valera looks inside the Dodge car that was owned by his grandfather, former President Éamon de Valera.
A FORMAL LAUNCH of the exhibition of Éamon de Valera’s Dodge limousine in the newly renovated space at Clare Museum took place on Sunday.
Following the annual commemoration of de Valera at his statue outside Ennis Courthouse which had his grandson, Éamon Ó Cúiv as the guest of honour, the exhibition was launched at Clare Museum.
Present at the launch of the exhibition were Éamon O Cuív TD, Éamon de Valera and his wife Bridget and daughter Clodagh, and Ann de Valera who were welcomed by Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF). Clarecastle historian, Dr Joe Power gave a talk on the extraordinary relationship between Clare and Éamon de Valera that began with the East Clare by-election in 1917.
Originally presented to Clare County Council in 1988, the Dodge car had been on display in a customised building at the rear of the Local Studies Centre in Harmony Row since 1992. However, following the refurbishment of the Tourist Office at Clare Museum, last June the car moved to the museum building where it is now part of the long-term exhibition. It has proven to be a major attraction to the public over the summer months.
Now 75 years old, de Valera’s Dodge was a familiar sight to Clare people who grew up in the 1960s and was often seen around the county, particularly at the Clare Show every August. He had purchased the car from Sean T O’Kelly, the former President and original owner, when he was about to begin his presidency in 1959.
The car had been manufactured in Detroit, Michigan, US, in 1947 and was originally maroon in colour. However, when de Valera purchased the car he had it resprayed in black, and that is the colour it remains today. In 2011, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) gave his time and expertise to restore the vehicle. Original Whitewall tyres and a six-volt battery were sourced from the US, and repairs were made to brakes, exhaust, steering and bodywork. David Browne, of John Browne’s Auto Bodyshop in Cratloe assisted with the bodywork restoration.
Speaking on Sunday, Cllr O’Brien pointed out, “The de Valera Dodge is just one item donated to the people of Clare by the de Valera family, over the years. Others include a pen used by Neville Chamberlain to sign the 1938 Anglo-Irish Treaty and a luminated address presented to Éamon de Valera by Clare Cumann na mBan.”
Head of Cultural Services at Clare County Council, County Librarian Helen Walsh, said that “the new home for the car is a significant additional attraction for visitors to the museum”.
Clare Museum is open to the public daily from Tuesday to Saturday and admission is free.
