Eamon de Valera’s 1947 Dodge to become a tourist attraction in County Clare

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A black 1947 black Dodge

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The back Dodge saloon that was once the car of choice for Irish President Eamon de Valera has been restored to its former glory and will now become a tourist attraction in County Clare.

Thanks to the work of skilled motor mechanic and county councillor, PJ Ryan the 1947 Dodge, which runs 18 feet and 10 inches long, is built like a tank and has room to spare (it can comfortably transport eight people plus the driver).

For Ryan the restoration was a labor of love and he sought the help of Clare native Danny Moloney, who now lives in New York, to source an original set of Whitewall tyres and a six-volt battery.



"I felt it was a great honor to be asked to do this work, which wasn’t done for political reasons," Ryan told The Irish Examiner.



"De Valera was recognized as a great statesman and was known worldwide. It was only right to bring his car back to its original state.

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“Cars used by other world leaders have been restored and kept in immaculate condition. I would like to see it in a better display area if possible. The de Valera library is a fine building but it is not in a very prominent place for secondary school students. I would like to see it placed in a heated glass area in the county council officers, which would be very accessible for a few local Ennis schools."

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