Celebrating 25 years of the Auto Ireland New Car Guide
Last Wednesday 4th
December, the official launch took place of the 2020 ‘201’ edition of the Auto Ireland magazine, a 113 page buying guide to new cars in Ireland. This event marked the 25th Anniversary of the publication and it was a very special occasion held in the magnificent Conrad Hotel, Dublin.
Chris Hanlon, Managing Director of First Citizen Finance, has been associated with the publication since its inception and dedicated this ‘201’ edition to his friend and Founder of the Auto Ireland, Mr. Brian Foley, who passed away in 2015. Brian was fondly remembered on the night.
Brian Foley, was a photographer, journalist and publisher who was passionate about the Motor Industry – be that in motor sport or otherwise. Brian, in partnership with Chris Hanlon, built Auto Ireland into Ireland’s most successful car magazine, being the only annual publication that reviews every single new car on sale in Ireland.
The launch ceremony was very well attended with household names like Rosemary Smith, one of Ireland’s most successful sportswomen, there to celebrate the milestone.
Speakers on the night included Chris Hanlon, Gerry Hargadon (Sales Director, First Citizen Finance) and Richie Oakley (Editor, Business Post). The magazine is published and printed in the Republic of Ireland.
On the evening also, the prize-giving for Ireland’s premier golf tournament (Captain’s Cup) for the Retail Motor Trade, took place. Gerry Hargadon presented Team Toyota, captained by Paul McNally (McNally Motors in Longford), with the winning trophy.
There were other presentations made too on the night - Sinéad Foley, daughter of Brian Foley, received a beautiful bouquet of flowers as a token of Chris’ esteem with which he held for both Brian and his wife, Mary (who also passed away). John O’Dwyer, a long-standing member of First Citizen’s staff retires this December and this was marked with a presentation to John for his dedicated service over many years.
It was a very special night for the Irish Motor Industry and the Management of First Citizen Finance would like to thank all their friends, customers, business partners and colleagues for being part of it. A special thank you to Shane O’Donoghue, the Editor of Auto Ireland since 2017 and David Gibbons, the Art Director.
