The age-old tradition of the Horse-Drawn Carriage as a method of public transport was first introduced to Ireland in 1815 by an Italian Irish Entrepreneur named Charles Bianconi.
The Bianconi Coaches, as they were known, served as the very first regular public transport service to Ireland, preceding railways services. The very first route from Clonmel to Cahir took passengers two hours to complete compared with a previous eight-hour boat ride and cost one penny farthing a mile. The services ran until the 1850’s and later, by which time there were a number of railways routes available nationwide.
Mr. Bianconi also owned a series of Inns, some of which are still in survival today, including one in Killorglin, Co. Kerry.
Image origin: https://www.theirishstory.com/2010/07/06/today-in-irish-history-bianconis-first-coach-service-6-july/#.XeTbEOj7TIU
