Charles Bianconi 1786-1875
Creator of the first Irish National
Transport system - the Bianconi Cars. He was born near Tregolo, near Como in
Northern Italy and first came to Ireland selling prints. He settled in Clonmel
and saw his opportunity after the end of the Napoleonic Wars, in buying surplus
army horses and setting up a transport system which soon covered most of the
west. By 1843 he had over 1000 horses covering nearly 4000 miles a day. His cars
revolutionised travel in Ireland. He purchased 86 St Stephens Green which became
the Catholic University. He died at Longfield, near Cashel, Tipperary. He is buried
in the family vault at the Catholic Church, Boherlahan, Co Tipperary.
