Family’s unbroken links with Marina from 1919 to 1985

For Corkman Jerry Ahern, there was an unbroken family link to industrial life at the Marina from the opening of the Ford plant in 1919 to its closure in the mid-1980s.

His father, Patrick, worked in Ford’s electrical department from 1919 to the 1950s and Jerry’s two brothers and an uncle also worked there.

Jerry himself worked in Dunlop next door from 1954 until 1985.

“My father, Patrick Ahern, started working at Ford when the Marina factory opened in 1919 and remained in employment there, even during the Emergency years in the 1940s,” says Jerry.

“He received service badges for clocking up 25 years and 30 years. He also received a gold watch from Ford in recognition of his long service, and a dining room suite.

“My father died in 1959 and my mother used the suite until her death in 1978. Ford Motor Company really appreciated its workers.”

A letter from Ford to Jerry, saluting his 30 years of service in 1930.