Pierce Cycles Wexford – a rare & true Irish cycle manufacturer | Season 2 – Episode 47

In the last two decades of the nineteenth century cycling was a relatively exclusive pursuit, confined mainly to young, middle class men because of cost. Bicycles were costly then, relative to wages. As the 1900s beckoned cycling progressed to become a popular sport and pastime. And later an important form of transport for many. Pierce Cycles of Wexford, one of only two true manufacturers of bicycles in Ireland, contribute to this revolution.

BICYCLES POPULAR
While cycling was opening up one contemporary observer commented on the swift changes that revolutionised the Irish cycling world from the middle of the 1880s onwards. Dr William Henry Stacpoole-Westropp of Lisdoonvarna, a member of the Irish Cyclists’ Association’s council, celebrate Irish cycling’s elitist nature. He claimed that “cyclists, as members of society, constitute a sharply defined class.” That elitist nature was reinforced by the cost of bicycles which was beyond the reach of most.

SAFETY BICYCLE
In 1885 the arrival of the ‘safety bicycle’ with its equal–sized wheels, replacing the penny-farthing, was a major cycling development. Also John Dunlop developed the pneumatic tire in 1888 which added to a rapid rise in the use of the bicycle. It was swiftly embraced as ‘a heaven–sent machine’ which cost less than a horse and covered the ground more quickly. In 1901 approximately 30,000 bicycles were sold in Ireland a majority of which were manufactured in Britain or America.

PIERCE IRONWORKS
The Pierce ‘Plough Foundry’ as it was known was founded by James Pierce in 1839. The Pierce ironworks was developed with the support of his brothers Phillip, Martin and John. At one time they were the largest engineering and agriculture machinery manufacturer in Ireland. They also had offices in Paris and Buenos Aires. To take advantaged of the high demand for cycles, in 1903 Pierce’s set up their ‘Bicycle Works’. Actually in-fact previous to this they had made a one-off cycle in June 1897 for a local justice of the peace.

There seemed to be a thriving Irish cycle manufacturing sector at the time but in fact many were assembling parts imported from Britain. Some of the Irish cycle ‘manufacturers’, because of the perception that British cycles were superior, emphasised that their machines were made from British parts. The only other actual manufacturer of cycles, in addition to Pierce, was ‘Lucania’ bicycles based in Dublin.

POLICE SPECIALS
Amongst the models Pierce’s produced was a strong twin-barred machine for use by the RIC. The double bar allowed for heavier loads to be carried with the substantial constables that rode them in mind. Also the stronger Pierce cycle, it was believed, would last longer travelling on bumpy Irish road roads. The Pierce cycle became the bike of choice for the RIC in the early 1900s. Ironically 20 years later RIC nemises Michael Collins was presented with one of the heavy Pierce RIC cycles on his visit to the factory in 1922. It was said Pierce bicycles were his favourite form of transport as he ducked and dived to avoid the Crown forces during the Irish War of Independence.

PATRIOTIC BICYCLES
The Pierce company linked buying one of its machines with patriotism. “Irishmen rely upon yourselves. Support your country’s best interests’ by purchasing a ‘Pierce’ bicycle”, proclaimed one of its advertisements in 1901. But such appeals mostly fell on deaf ears as both ‘Lucania’ and ‘Pierce’ bicycles were relatively dearer than English or American machines. Pierces undermined their marketing pitch when they locked out their staff during the 1911 and brought in strike breakers. So most Irish customers preferred to buy imported bicycles. It is estimated that only 10% of the tens of thousands bicycles sold in Ireland were Irish manufactured as they had to face mass manufactured brands from Britain and America.

A best selling Irish travel book of the early 1900s was ‘Rambles in Eireann’ written by William Bulfin. Bulfin traveled 4,800 km (3,000 miles) around the country riding non other than a Pierce cycle. Without doubt proof of the cycles tough and reliable design and manufacture.

THE BIG FELLA
Pierce’s most famous customer Collins was a keen supporter of Irish industry and wanted the Irish Army to be supplied with their bicycles rather than by English manufacturers. This type of high level patronage was to no avail in the end. By 1930 Pierce found that they could no longer compete with specialists in the trade and discontinued the manufacture of bicycles.

Pierce cycles can been seen today at Johnstown Castle, the Irish Agricultural Museum, in Co. Wexford.

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Sources of information:

1. All colours of the rainbow, including black and gold: making and selling bicycles in Ireland in the 1880s and 1890s
2. Archive.org
3. Boarsd.ie
4. Bulfinheritagecycle.com
5. Garda.ie
6. HistoryMatters Facebook
7. Thecabe.com
8. Twitter.com/irelandincolour