Humans of Longford
I was a mechanic in Lisbon, so this was my first job in Longford. It was out at Goshen with MNS Plant. It was a heavy plant; too heavy for me. So for 2 years, I worked in Edgeworthstown at cars with James Shaughnessy.
Then I moved to Eric Norton who has a Mercedes garage near Ballinalee. I was with Eric for 3 happy years. Eric was really helpful and a huge influence on me and my life. I can’t ever thank Eric enough. He’s a sound man and still an excellent friend. Actually, I refer to him as Daddy; and that says everything really.
Then I moved to Eric Norton who has a Mercedes garage near Ballinalee. I was with Eric for 3 happy years. Eric was really helpful and a huge influence on me and my life. I can’t ever thank Eric enough. He’s a sound man and still an excellent friend. Actually, I refer to him as Daddy; and that says everything really.
Then I decided to take a shot and went out on my own on the Athlone Road. I did one or two cars a week and people really appreciated my commitment and care. The business started to grow. So we moved to bigger premises beside Joe Fallon, and it kept growing. We were called DC Motor Repairs but the name was all wrong and so we changed to Precision Motorworks and moved over the road to the Royal Canal Business Park. Always on the Athlone Road.
I couldn’t believe it. We were in the sky flying high. We were offering a complete professional and personal service. Always providing solutions and one to one personal experience. Ah, were doing really great. When I went into a business partnership; but the partnership, the dream turned to a nightmare – a nasty nightmare.
Everything I had worked so hard for started to crumble. I found myself on my knees. My confidence & my self-belief were totally shattered. I found myself on my knees. Others have had the same experience. I know that but it’s awful hard. If nothing else, I am determined. It took a full year to get off my knees but I did stand again and started to pursue my dream of building motorbikes and customizing vehicles. We built that trailer for Shane Crossan’s School of Rock.
Thankfully we’ve gone from strength to strength. Now we’re a multi-award-winning outfit and we’re known all over Ireland now.
Motorbikes? Well, you know the Honda 50s were huge in Ireland in the 70s. Men didn’t mind the weather back then, but in the1990s men must have got softer. Now motorbikes are more popular again. Maybe it’s the foreign influence making them desirable again, who knows? I heard of one local Polish girl in 5th year that has her own 125 bikes and has passed all her driving exams too. There’s great freedom with the breeze in your face. I love the freedom a bike gives. Also, the solidarity between bikers is amazing, but for sure, there could be more respect between bikers and other road users.
Oh yes, of course, I miss the blue skies of Portugal. My parents & sister also. They truly loved visiting Longford and Ireland, but actually, the Portuguese community in Longford continues to grow. There’s now a lovely Portuguese café in town, near Aldi.
Any motto? Oh yes, for sure, in my workshop I have “The Pursuit of Happiness” printed large on the wall. It inspires me daily. Life is a journey. Always try to pursue your happiness. We’re all human. You give & you shall receive.
– Rafael Costa.
(Precision Customs)
