STATHAM'S By Pembroke Kilkenny
OUR HERITAGE
The three highly successful Irish International Grand Prix held in Dublin's Phoenix Park between 1929 and 1931 led to races being held on street and road circuits throughout Ireland.
For those that could not afford a purpose-built racing car, there was an alternative - designing and building your own 'Special'. One of the most famous 'Special's was the Statham-Ford Special built in the garage of the same name on which this hotel now stands. The car was taken to several notable successes by its driver MJ Hynes.
Powered by a Ford V-8 engine it had a major success at the 1934 Phoenix Park Senior Race that it won outright in a new record time. But it's greatest success came in the 1935 Limerick Grand Prix, a street race that attracted the cream of international drivers and their cars to this island. There it placed 7th overall against some of the finest purpose-built racing cars of the day built by such legendary names as ERA, MG and Bugatti.
STATHAM'S NOW
Statham's is a great place to meet, drink and dine in Kilkenny. With its all day fresh and locally sourced menu, late brunch, great wines, the perfect pints and a selection of Champagne and refreshing authentic cocktails.
Erected by the Pembroke Kilkenny.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 52° 38.969′ N, 7° 15.085′ W. Marker is in Kilkenny, Leinster, in County Kilkenny. It is on Patrick Street 0.1 kilometers east of High Street/The Parade, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 Patrick Street, Kilkenny, Leinster R95 VNP4, Ireland. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Ancient East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, on the Island of Ireland, on the Celtic Fringe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are
this page online
Also see . . . 1934 Phoenix Park Senior: Race Victory for car built in Statham's Garage, Patrick St. Historic Kilkenny website entry (Submitted on October 4, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 392 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
