Ireland’s motoring history is a patchwork of small workshops, independent designers and regional efforts rather than large-scale factories. That makes a list of homegrown marques a useful way to spot patterns, quirks and the stories behind Ireland’s automotive contributions.
There are 8 Irish Car Brands, ranging from Alesbury to Thomond, showing everything from vintage coachbuilders to modern niche makers. For each entry you’ll find below Founded (year),Headquarters (city, county),Flagship model(s), and a quick snapshot to compare era, location and focus—you’ll find below.
Which of these brands are still active today?
Most on the list are historic or boutique operations; only a few have ongoing small-scale production or revived identities. Check the Founded (year) and Flagship model(s) entries below and follow company websites or recent news links to confirm current activity.
How can I use the table to compare these brands quickly?
Use Founded (year) to place each brand in time, Headquarters (city, county) for regional context, and Flagship model(s) to see whether a maker focused on sports cars, commercial vehicles or coachbuilding—together they give a compact view of scale, purpose and legacy.
Irish Car Brands
| Name | Founded (year) | Headquarters (city, county) | Flagship model(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alesbury | 1907 | Edenderry, Co. Offaly | Alesbury 10/12 hp |
| Crosslé | 1957 | Holywood, Co. Down | Crosslé 9S sports-racer |
| DAWB | 1954 | Dublin, Co. Dublin | The DAWB 6 |
| DeLorean | 1981 | Dunmurry, Co. Antrim | DMC-12 |
| Heinkel-I | 1958 | Dundalk, Co. Louth | Heinkel Kabine Model 150 |
| Shamrock | 1959 | Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan | Shamrock Convertible |
| TMC | 1983 | Wexford, Co. Wexford | TMC Costin |
| Thomond | 1925 | Dublin, Co. Dublin | Thomond No. 1 |
Images and Descriptions
Alesbury
One of Ireland’s earliest car manufacturers, the Alesbury Brothers produced cars for just one year. Their pioneering venture ceased in 1908, but it remains an important chapter in Irish automotive history.
Crosslé
A legendary Northern Irish manufacturer of racing cars, founded by John Crosslé. While focused on motorsport, some models were road-legal, and the company is still an active and highly respected constructor.
DAWB
Created by engineer Davy Woods in Dublin, the DAWB was an ambitious post-war car based on a DKW chassis. Only a few prototypes were completed before the project ended around 1956.
DeLorean
While an American company, the iconic DMC-12 was exclusively built in Northern Ireland from 1981-1982. Its gull-wing doors and movie fame made it a cultural icon forever linked to its Irish factory.
Heinkel-I
The Dundalk Engineering Company manufactured the German Heinkel Kabine bubble car under license. Marketed as the Heinkel-I, it was a rare example of mass-produced cars built in the Republic of Ireland until 1961.
Shamrock
An infamous automotive failure, the large, fiberglass Shamrock was intended for the US market. Production in Castleblayney ceased in 1960 after only about ten cars were ever completed.
TMC
The Thompson Motor Company of Wexford produced this lightweight sports car designed by aerodynamicist Frank Costin. Around 39 cars were built until 1987, making it a rare and respected Irish sports car.
Thomond
An early attempt to build an Irish motor car for the masses, based in Dublin. The company produced very few vehicles using a combination of their own and sourced parts before ceasing operations in the early 1930s.
