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One of Cork’s oldest companies has donated its historical archive, including a selection of never-before-seen photographs, to the city to be displayed at Cork Public Museum in Fitzgerald’s Park.

The Johnson & Perrott material dates back to 1861, when the business was acquired by James Johnson, from whom the current owners are direct descendants.

William Perrott was an avid amateur photographer, and his personal collection of photographs shows his love for sailing, and outdoor pursuits. The record contains images from around Cork, including Oysterhaven, Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire), and point-to-point races taken from 1921 on.

The collection includes the handwritten diaries of Perrott, which detail his experiences of Cork during the War of Independence and the Civil War.

Documents relating to the introduction of motorised vehicles to Cork for the first time in the early 1900s are also included, with the first second-hand car sold in 1903.

As well as the archive, Johnson & Perrott is loaning two significant pieces to the Museum; a fully restored James Johnson carriage dating back to the middle of the 19th century, and an original sign from the original carriage works on what was then called ‘Nelson Place Carriage Works’.

Mark Whitaker, CEO of JPMG, says the decision to donate the archive stems from the fact that it was nearly lost to history:

“Some of what we are donating was recovered when a solicitor on the Mall cleared out an old strong room and I am hugely sensitive to protecting our archive for the benefit of future generations who might like to research it.

“Personally, I found it fascinating to read through my great grandfather’s diaries where he spoke of the practical difficulties of life during the War of Independence and the Civil War including brief references to the burning of Cork and the death of Michael Collins.

“I hope that this donation will help future historians to paint an accurate picture of what life was like in our city, and the people who helped build it.”

An exhibition, ‘From Carriage to Car – The Early History of the Johnson & Perrott Group’, is now open at Cork Public Museum.

Photo: Joleen Cronin