Skoda’s Galway dealership, Monaghan & Sons, will host a celebratory event today (Thursday ) as the first Skoda dealer in Ireland to launch its new corporate showroom concept.
The public are invited to attend the event which kicks off at 7pm. Entertainment will be performed by Steve Starr who shot to fame on Britain’s got Talent.
Based on the Tuam Road, Monaghan & Sons now boasts the new modernised appearance which is based on the new Skoda corporate design, an integral element of the Volkswagen-owned Czech company's 2018 growth strategy.
Renovations commenced earlier this year to install modern and contemporary layout that will accommodate the new Skoda range which will continue to expand over the next three years.
The new showroom is younger and more dynamic. The key elements include modern architecture, new communication areas around the outside with improved visibility both during the day and at night, as well as an attractive salesroom design for a customer-friendly approach.
One of the small number of dealers to be part of the Skoda network since day one, Monaghan & Sons is a household name in the west of Ireland. The business was first established in 1948 by Tom and Phyllis Monaghan in Moylough, Co Galway, and focused on serving the community as a filling station and grocery store with vehicle sales, repairs and even a hackney service.
In 1967the family and their business moved to Headford, Co Galway, before Leo and Joe Monaghan moved the vehicle sales and service side of the business to the Tuam Road in Galway city in 1992. A year later Monaghan & Sons was the first dealer in Ireland to acquire the Skoda franchise.
That year Skoda had only a two-car range and the dealership sold just 10 vehicles. Today Monaghan & Sons Galway is one of Ireland’s largest and most successful dealers, employing 46 people. In 2002 David Monaghan and his wife Fionnuala continued the family tradition and opened a Skoda dealership in Castlebar which employs 14 people.
Leo Monaghan, dealer principal, says the family is extremely proud of what has been achieved.
“We believe our customers are really going to like our new premises. Customers can expect a vibrant and warm environment that has been synonymous with Monaghans for years.
“To be the first Skoda dealership in the Irish network to roll out the new premises is very satisfying. We are hosting an event on Thursday, to celebrate the official opening of the new showroom and would like to extend an open invite for people to view the new showroom and enjoy the evening.”
Renowned for the quality, affordability and reliability of its vehicles, Skoda has enjoyed most significant growth since 2008 as Irish motorists rediscovered the value of the range. During this time, the market share has doubled from 3.0 per cent in 2008 to 6.7 per cent year to date, placing the car maker sixth on the sales leader board.
