On a warm August morning in 1912, Father O’Connor of the North Cathedral in Cork, Ireland was interrupted by his housekeeper. There was an American to see him. Fr. O’Connor greeted his visitor and it transpired, that like many before him, he was seeking information concerning his Irish roots.
The visitor’s grandfather was supposedly one Patrick Ahern and, searching through the records, Fr.O’Connor discovered Ahern’s baptismal records; he had been born in 1804 in Fair Lane (now Wolfe Tone Street) on Cork City’s northside.
‘And your name was, again, sir?’
‘Ford, Henry Ford.’
‘From…?’
‘Detroit, Michigan.’
Ahern was young Ford’s maternal grandfather. And, on his father’s side, his other grandfather was John Ford of Ballinascarty, a village in West Cork.
Model-T Ford monument, Ballinascarty, Co Cork, Ireland
Of course Henry Ford is famous for introducing the mass production of the motor car. In 1917 the first Ford factory outside the US was set up in Cork. Ford named his mansion in Dearborn, Michigan Fairlane and in 1955 his grandson named a new car the Fairlane.
This great story unashamedly lifted from the Holly Bough, the Cork Evening Echo Christmas supplement now in its 115th year.
Back On The Rock 
I didn’t know that Roy. Thanks for sharing. My children were featured in this years Hollybough with their Grandparents. I only recently learnt of the tradition of the worldwide family photos holding up the Hollybough magazine. Clo
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Hey, which page Clo? As usual I’m devouring every word and I’ll finish it by around September 🙂
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When you hear stories like this, it simply adds to the adage that all roads lead back to Ireland!
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Yes it certainly seems that way Deb. The Irish have certainly left their mark everywhere, though usually having left their home country with the heaviest of hearts.
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I do think that was true in the past, Roy. Not so sure about these days. The idea is a bit in danger of becoming a pastiche, I think.
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Emigration is at huge levels again now, just like the 1840s and 1940s & 1950s. This time it’s the professionals and bright new graduates. Most are reluctant to leave but see their future elsewhere. Plus ca change.
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What a fabulous story – I had no idea of his heritage 😉
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To my shame neither had I until last night, and I shout out the virtues of Cork at every opportunity.
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First Ford factory in Europe was a once derelict Tram Works in Trafford Park Manchester. Model T Fords produced there in late 1911. Moving assembly line was installed in 1913. See you for a beer Sunday.
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If true then I’ll write to the Holly Bough in high dudgeon 🙂
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Very interesting–this post is just loaded with fun facts, Roy! Thanks for sharing.
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Hey Naomi, yes it’s a little nugget. Of course Detroit is your home town so it’s of relevance.
Rory Gallagher was a great Irish rock and blues guitarist. One of his acoustic numbers was Going To My Hometown with a verse
So I packed up my bags and headed down the road
I got me a job with Henry Ford
But I made a mistake, I moved much too far
And now I know what the lonesome blues are
Have a nice weekend.
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HI Roy,
Great song. My Grandpa Max packed his bags and left Kiev to go to Detroit to work in the Ford factory.
He is not one of the home boys I am most proud of. Henry Ford was extremely anti-semitic, pro-Hitler, and anti-union, and he hired tugs to brutally beat up labor organizers, but he was undeniably a genius at business.
So good to hear from you. I’m on a writing retreat with my sister in Alaska, and she says to say hello!
Here is a link to a pretty interesting read.
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081209100543AAplGsr
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Well I never knew that about Ford before – you learn something every day. And me with a Ford in the underground car park 🙂 Good to hear you’re writing – say hello back to Constance for me!
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Will do!
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