Raleigh bicycle factory in Dublin

[luas]

I was surprised to discover that Raleigh, the large bicycle manufacturer based in Nottingham, also had a factory in Hanover Quay, Dublin.  This was set up at the end of the 1930s, and operated until it burnt down in 1976.  It seems to have made a full range of models, including a special cross-frame Garda machine with black enamel instead of the usual chrome plating.  One of the last machines to come out of the factory would have been the Chopper.

Later Irish-built bicycles can be identified by the absence of the usual "Made in Nottingham" lettering on the head badge, and some carry a "Made in Eire" or "Made in the Republic of Ireland" mark.  The factory also seems to have assembled the Sturmey-Archer gear hubs usually found on adult bikes of the period.

It appears that the factory continued to build bicycles right through the Emergency, while the Nottingham factory was switched from bikes to war production, like so many other English factories.  I wonder, then, if they made all their own parts from scratch in Dublin, rather than just assembling them?

I made some enquiries at Hodges Figgis, and it seems that nobody has, as yet, written a book about this factory.  I'm sure it's a fascinating chapter in the history of cycling in Ireland.  Sadly, it seems the factory's records were lost in the fire.  However, I'm fairly sure there must still be plenty of people around who worked there, or have some knowledge of its operation - or simply reminiscences of cycling in Ireland before the Emergency.

As a vintage bicycle enthusiast, I'd like to explore the possibility of putting a book together and approaching an Irish publisher with it.  If anybody has any information or ideas and is willing to help, could they please send a personal message in the first instance, and I'll reply with an email address.  Many thanks for any assistance.

[Quaxer]

Luas

Some information for the heap.The Irish Times newspaper for June 4th 1942 has a reference to a fire at the Irish Raleigh Cycle Co. works at 6 Hanover Quay Dublin and there is further information on the 5th June on Page 1.
During WWII it is difficult to imagine the construction of bicycles in Eire if bicycles require in part special quality steel as an export licence from England would not have been available. Either the firm had stocks or else steel was made available on condition of re export to the U.K.

Regards

Quaxer

[luas]

Thanks for those details.  From what I've already been able to find out, I gather that the Irish-built machines were not exported to Britain as such, but some found their way to Northern Ireland.  Clearly, some were exported further afield too, given where they now turn up.

[luas]

Just to update this topic, I've been in touch with Raleigh in Nottingham.  I can't speak highly enough of how helpful they've been.  I've also been in contact with An Garda Síochána at their museum in Dublin Castle, to investigate the possibility of using some old Raleigh advertisements from the Garda Review in the 1930s.*  It seems the Garda chose Raleigh to provide their service machines even before the latter were made in Ireland, which is interesting.  Maybe there were no viable Irish-made alternatives at the time.  Anyway, the Irish Times is very kindly going to publish a letter appealing for information from anyone with knowledge of the factory (the letter should appear over the next few days), and I'm contemplating contacting one of the RTE radio programmes to see if I can get a spot on there.  Plenty of reads on here too, so I'm hopeful of getting some information.

*These old advertisements are wonderful, and may be seen on royalirishconstabulary.com if you click the sidebar labelled An Garda Síochána on the home page.  I mentioned the cross-frame machine to my contact at Raleigh, and he told me he has an old police bike exactly like that in his office!  You can still buy one of those in Holland, where it's known as a pastoorsfiets (priest's bike).  Apparently, it's easier to ride wearing a cassock.

[Emma Power]

My father and most of my uncles worked at Raleigh in Dublin. I am also looking for some information regarding records.