Volkswagen Cars made in Ireland
The very first Volkswagen Beetle ever made outside of German was in Ireland. The Volkswagen Beetle was assembled in Ballsbrigde, Dublin!! Volkswagen began its involvement in Ireland when in 1949, Motor Distributors Limited, founded by Stephen O'Flaherty secured the franchise.
![Volkswagen Experts 30.10.1950](https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ina_wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Popular-German-Cars-for-Dublin.png)
The cars were shipped to Ireland in a completely knocked down form ready for assembly straight out of the box. See the below snippet from the Irish Independent 1950 were even the transport of parts made the news!
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![Volkswagen delivery of parts](https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ina_wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/German-parts-on-the-way-300x235.png)
Volkswagen parts on route![/caption]
The vehicles were assembled in a former tram depot at 162 Shelbourne Road in Ballsbridge Dublin. This is now the premises for Ballsbridge Motors who are still a Volkswagen dealers to this day.
[caption id="attachment_328" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
![Volkswagen arrives](https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ina_wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Volkswagon-Advert-300x213.png)
First VW made in Ireland[/caption]
The very first car of the production line can viewed at the Volkswagen Museum in Wolfsburg. Unfortauntely assembly was moved from Ireland in the 1980’s. Why not discover more in our archives.
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The very first car of the production line can viewed at the Volkswagen Museum in Wolfsburg. Unfortauntely assembly was moved from Ireland in the 1980’s. Why discover more in our archives.