After 50 years of abandonment, a beautiful three-wheel bicycle is back
in operation ready to once again carry goods along the roads and
botharÃns of Galway.
Originally, the bicycle was in service with the national (Irish) Post and Telegraph (P & T) service probably in the 1950s-1960s. Fitted out with a large wicker basket in front, postmen used such bikes to deliver commercial and domestic parcels and letters in urban areas.
The bike was given on loan last summer to Cumann na bhFear (Men’s Shed) by the renowned antique collector Mr Michael Keaney of Castle Ellen.
It was then in an
advanced state of disrepair with many parts broken, parts missing and
frame bent.
Understandably finding tyres, tubes, basket etc was not easy as such bicycles are not manufactured any more.
Understandably finding tyres, tubes, basket etc was not easy as such bicycles are not manufactured any more.
Brian MacGabhann, one of Galway's top amateur bike maintenance expert, got us started with a workshop on stripping the bike of its components and cleaning the parts.
Then thanks to the hard work and perseverance of Michael McDonnell and fellow members of Cumann na bhFear (Men’s Shed) over many months, this classic emblem of another age was painstakingly restored to its former beauty.
This vintage mode of transport will now have a whole lease of life as a mobile support unit for participants of the 2014 "Seven Galway Castles Heritage Cycle Tours" as its new wicker basket will be used to carry first aid, bike repair kits and picnic beverages/foods.
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