About Us

Motor Distributors Limited founded by the late Stephen O’Flaherty who is widely celebrated as one of the great pioneers of modern Irish motoring, the O’Flaherty family has a long history in the Irish motor industry and has been involved in manufacturing, distribution and retail operations since 1950. In June 1950, amidst the aftermath of World War II, Stephen O’Flaherty signed a deal that secured the rights to the Volkswagen franchise in Ireland and some three years later he secured the Volkswagen franchise for the UK which he subsequently sold to the Thomas Tilling Group in 1957. Perhaps Ireland’s place in Volkswagen history was most firmly established in 1950 when the first Volkswagen ever built outside Germany was assembled on Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The car itself is now proudly displayed at the Volkswagen Museum in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Throughout the fifties demand rose steadily and the business quickly outgrew the Shelbourne Road facility. In 1955 assembly was transferred to a new factory on the Naas Road, Dublin 12. Vehicle assembly continued on the Naas Road until the mid-1980s when the company became the last in Ireland to withdraw from production. In 1954 MDL secured and continues to hold the Mercedes-Benz distribution rights for Ireland. Today the Naas Road facility remains the headquarters for both Motor Distributors Ltd. and MSL Motor Group.