ICR Group - Our Company

Company History
In historical terms the Group is relatively young and despite its relatively short history it has seen significant change, growth and development since its founding in 1982. The business started out as a rental company founded by John Leahy and John Culleton who remain shareholders today. The rental business traded under the style Irish Car Rentals Limited and slowly built up a base of business concentrating on the airports and the German market which was an emerging market for tourists into Ireland in the early 1980’s.
In 1990 the rental business secured an international (US based) car rental franchise which it operated until 1998. Due to the lack of European business from that US franchise in 1998 the company moved franchises to a German based franchise and started aggressive development of the online market via irishcarrentals.com. 
A used car retail operation emerged from disposing of the rental fleet at the end of the rental season, Clareview Motors Limited slowly built up a considerable base of business and customers. It became clear that the synergy between motor dealerships and car rentals was something that something that ensured a more competitive cost base and access to fleet. The Group sought investment to expand its strategy in motor dealerships and following on from venture capital investment the Group purchased Limerick Opel dealership Ennis Road Motors Limited at the end of 1996. 
The dealership division was expanded by a move with Opel in to Tullamore in 2000 opening Church Road Motors Limited and in 2001 in Limerick a flagship site Motorzone Limited was opened it operates a Kia dealership and a large used car business.
The rental business requirement for repairing damage to vehicles saw the emergence of the Group own specialist crash repair unit Clareview Auto Repair Centre Limited. This unit has evolved and now counts most of the Irish insurers and fleet management companies amongst its customers. Its work shop is modern, complies with all environmental legislation and it out puts quality work. The shop is based at Westlink Business Park, Clondrinagh, Limerick.
In 2005 Ennis Road Motors completed a full new state of the art showroom on its Ennis Road site and as part of that development relocated its workshops and parts activity to the new nearby Westlink Business Park, Clondrinagh where it has state of the new modern facilities.
In July 2007 the rental business acquired the former “Argus Automobiles” car rental operation and merged it with its own operation, the acquisition bought with it a team of specialists experienced in the Corporate and VAN markets particularly in Dublin upon which the company continues to grow and add locations to the product offering.
In July 2008 the Group commenced operations as the National Alamo franchisee, the Group is delighted to be operating with such strong brand names in the global rental market and to be able to offer the world wide services of these brands to all of its exiting customers, along with welcoming the new customers of National and Alamo to Ireland.