Bus Ghobnatan ! Does this ring a bell with anyone?
Bus Ghobnatan ! Does this ring a bell with anyone? Did You use it ? Any stories ? The photos of the bus were taken on the 15th of June 1968 at Dyke Parade in Cork City. You might know the Mardyke, it is by the University, , past the Presentation College and comes down by the Mercy Hospital.
The bus was then owned by Micheál Ó Tuama, of Cúil Aodha, Baile Mhúirne which is part of the Muskerry Gaeltacht, which encompasses Baile Mhúirne, Baile Mhic Íre, Cúil Aodha and Béal Átha sn Ghaorthaidh.
Mícheál Ó Tuama traded as Bus Ghobnatan.
St. Gobnait is the patron saint of Baile Mhúirne and Cúil Aodha area.
The bus is a Leyland Tiger Cub PSUC1/2 type- chassis no 554580- with a 41 seat
coach body by Willowbrook Coachbuilders. It was registered in November 1955 to the Trent Motor Traction Co (UK) and would have been bought by Ó Tuama from a UK motor dealer after sale by Trent. At that time second-hand buses from the UK were allowed to retain their original Uk registration number on import to Ireland. Ó Tuama worked as a school contractor for CIE.
The school transport scheme started in 1967 and almost every established private bus operator in the country was subcontracted by CIE to meet the demand for school services.It also led to new operators emerging In various parts of the country as garage proprietors and bought buses in order to become transport contractors, attracted by the prospect of a steady cash flow from a CIE school bus contract.
Bus Ghobnatan was also used to generate revenue from doing private hire to matches, sporting events, outings, dances etc at the weekends.
We are not sure if it was sold on subsequently to another operator or what happened to the bus.
It you have any further information or memories of Bus Ghobnatan ( also known
locally as “The Ballyvourney Bus”) we would be delighted to hear from you at
Íosagáinbailemhuirne@gmail.com.
