Irish reg numbers, all to hand
With reference to the photo of the great Freddie Dixon on the front of the latest OBM, it may be of interest to know that I am the lucky holder of the ‘The
Irish Motor Directory and Motor Annual 1915-1916’. (Cost a shilling, by the way.)
This document lists all the registration numbers in use in Ireland at this time, indicating whether they were on a car or motor bicycle, and the name and address of the users.
We can see that IO 100 was in use by Freddie as early as 1915, and he was shown to be living at Eskholme, Stockton-on-Tees at that time. As was the practice, that number could be carried forward to whatever machine Freddie was currently using. IO 100 was a Co. Kildare number and there were a large number of English owners in the directory, many of them at the Curragh Army Camp.
The Great War was raging and the front page of the directory states: ‘The editor wishes to explain that the delay in issuing this eleventh annual volume has been due to depletion of his printing staff, nearly 50% of his male employees having volunteered for the Army.’ (There was no conscription in Ireland in either war.)
Another possible reason for the large number of English addresses in the book may be due to the fact that English counties charged to register a machine and Irish Counties did not. (I am not sure of this but have been told that was the case.) It might also explain why Worthing Motor Services and Wiltshire and Dorset Motor Services have a batch of 12 or so of Co. Armagh numbers.
Also interesting how many counties used parallel registers for cars and bicycles, and how bicycles outnumbered cars until 1908. Anyway, if I can help identify an early motorcyclist for you with this book, please don’t hesitate to ring me on 07968 341 273 or 01258 472220.