Colin Ireland, the founder of Ireland’s Motorcycles in Barnstaple, North Devon, died on 14 May, aged 74.
Colin had been in the motor trade all of his life, following in the footsteps of his father, Thomas, and learning his trade as a car technician at a local garage in nearby Braunton.
He set up Ireland’s Services in 1971 in a small back-street garage. Initially for cars, the business diversified into bikes as Colin’s son Phil developed an interest in schoolboy motocross riding.
Colin concentrated on bikes from 1976 and built the business up into a modern fully-franchised 8000sqft outlet. Phil manages the workshop and technical department and Colin’s grandson Tom oversees the showroom and retail.
The company website says the business is the only franchised dealership in North Devon and has won numerous national awards from some of the industry’s flagship manufacturers for customer care and satisfaction.
A statement on the dealer’s website said: “Colin achieved great success in his working life. He was a hard-working self-made man who took the positives from any situation.”
The funeral – “a celebration of Colin’s life”, according to Phil – will be held on 3 June, 3pm, at Barnstable crematorium.