Esso Ireland and Cloughvalley Stores Carrickmacross

Joint Press Release: 11th October 2007

Mark Mason is the Esso regional manager for all UK and Ireland sites.  Esso has been involved in the oil business in Ireland since 1898 (see history).  This clearly shows the strength of the brand as many oil companies have entered the market in Ireland and subsequently left after a short period of time.   There have been many changes in Ireland both economically and culturally since Esso came to Ireland. 

On a visit to Cloughvalley Stores Mark Mason and his colleagues were very impressed with the layout and traffic management flows on the site, so much so that they approached Michael and Brigid Quinn with a view to becoming sole fuel supplier for the site.  After some discussion Michael and Brigid eventually agreed to have the site branded Esso. 

Michael Quinn said "Myself and Brigid are delighted to be involved with a company that is firmly rooted in the market in Ireland.  Esso Ireland have been one of the main sponsors of the National Ploughing Championships for over 20 years and they have also been involved in some large scale projects in Dublin Zoo.  This shows that the company is not solely profit driven and that they have an interest in the development of the wider community which ties in with our plans for Cloughvalley Stores.  The market place is changing day by day.  It is our intention to work with Esso Ireland and ADM Londis to compete in today’s market and give you the customer value for money.  The plan is simple and the vision is simpler, get more pay less."

Brigid continued "Two years ago on 14 October 2005 we commenced work on this site transforming it to the full service site that it is now.   We want to take this opportunity to thank all our customers and neighbours for putting up with so much disruption during the construction work.  We thank you for your support and we hope that we are now in a position to give you the customer what you want going forward." 

Pictured above is Mark Mason from Esso Ireland Limited and Michael and Brigid Quinn from Cloughvalley Stores Ltd, Carrickmacross. 

A history of Esso in Ireland
As Esso Ireland entered the new millennium we already had over 100 years of history behind us. From 1898 when motoring was in its infancy to today when it is the paramount form of transport, Esso has been there - literally keeping Ireland on the move.

Esso - or the Anglo American Oil Company as we were known then - first established its base in Dublin Port in 1898. The Anglo American Oil Company was the first company to lease land in the docks area of Dublin and started importing and selling paraffin oil for lamps. The first Managing Director of the company was a Mr. Dominic Dolan, originally from Ardbolies, Co. Louth.

As the motor car began to find favour in 1904, the Anglo-American Oil Company quickly moved into selling petrol and by 1910 was firmly established in Ireland. The motor fuel marketed at the time was called Pratts Perfection Spirit and was imported from America in a highly distinctive 2-gallon green can, complete with brass stopper.

As the Anglo-American Oil Company grew, Ireland was experiencing radical change and the Irish Free State was established in 1922. The Anglo American Oil Company was among one of the first companies to register in the Irish Free State. Following registration the company changed its name to the Irish-American Oil Company.

Following a number of name changes the Irish-American Oil Company changed its name to Esso in 1935 and then eventually to Esso Ireland Ltd in 1985.

Esso has always been at the forefront of innovations and pioneered the first kerbside service stations with pumps, as we know them today, at Nassau Street in Dublin where Fred Hanna's Bookshop now stands. We were also among the first to develop forecourt shops in the 1970's, selling mainly motor oils and car accessories. Today, forecourt shops have expanded dramatically and now sell a wide variety of goods.

When it comes to petroleum products Esso has been to the fore also. Back in 1933, Esso marketed the first bottled motor oil, which was sold in a distinctive glass bottle. Throughout the years Esso has introduced a wide range of distinctive products to Ireland such as "Esso Blue" which was in fact paraffin, but the success of the advertising campaign was such that people no longer asked for paraffin, they asked for "Esso Blue". More recently in 1986, Esso Ireland was the first Oil Company in Ireland to introduce lead free petrol.

The Esso Tiger has become one of the most recognised corporate symbols not only in Ireland, but also around the world. The "Esso Sign Means Happy Motoring" campaign was one of the most popular ever seen on Irish television and many will remember the "Put A Tiger in Your Tank" campaign that quickly became a catch phrase. In fact, a customer from Kilkenny wrote to the company in 1965 to complain that his child had poured a bottle of milk into his petrol tank to "feed the tiger"!

Esso Ireland has come a long way from humble beginnings and is now looking ahead to the new challenges of the 21st century. We believe we are well placed to meet these challenges. Continued investment in people, technology, research, operating facilities, service stations and shops will ensure ongoing success for a company proud of its history in Ireland.