Dublin Mini Coaches & Chauffeur Drive 0861 780049/+353861780049

History & Down Memory Lane

 

 

  • 1961 Dorgans Mini Coaches was formed by the late Thomas Dorgan and his mother Frances Dorgan, the business was run from their home in Terenure, Dublin 6

  • 1962 Thomas Dorgan excelled in the sports of swimming and water polo, becoming one of Irelands top sports personalities.

  • 1963 Dorgans look after the transport arrangements for the visit of John F Kennedy, US President

  • 1964-1965 Dorgans brand their mini coaches yellow/brown/white

  • 1966 Dorgans develop tourism links worldwide

  • 1967-1969 Dorgans become major players in the transporting of National Sport teams including Rugby and Soccer

  • 1970 Dorgans look after the transport arrangements for the visit of Richard M Nixon, US President

  • 1971 Dorgans celebrate 10 years in business with a wine and cheese party at the Horse Shoe Bar, Shelbourne Hotel, St Stephens Green, Dublin

  • 1971-1978 Dorgans continue to build their reputation as Dublins  No 1 Mini Coach Company by providing quality private hire service to the people of Dublin.

  • 1974 Dorgans tour driver Charles Maguire awarded Bord Failte driver award of excellence

  • 1974-1976 Dorgans goes continental with trips organised to Lourdes, and a successful water polo tour of Spain and France with Half Moon Swimming Club, Dublin.

  • 1975-1977 Dorgans Mini Coaches come under competition by newly established Campbells Mini Coaches.

  • 1979 Dorgans were a major supplier of transport for the visit of Pope John Paul II

  • 1981 Dorgans celebrate 20 years in business with a party in St Marys Rugby Football Club for  customers and friends

  • 1981-1989 Dorgans operate a private bus service in Belfast Docks for Harland & Wolf staff

  • 1982 Dorgans change brand to Blue & white as the original company livery was copied by Campbells Mini Coaches

  • 1984 Frances Dorgan passed away at the age of 92 in Our Ladys Hospice, Harolds Cross, Dublin

  • 1985 Dorgans enter the 53 Seater bus market with a Vanhool due to customer demand

  • 1986 Thomas Dorgan is elected President of Swim Ireland

  • 1986-1989 Dorgans awarded American tour contract with American tour operator Celtic Tours through Terry Flynn Tours

  • 1989 Dorgans enter the Chauffeur Car market

  • 1990 Dorgans start transporting film and music stars from all over the world

  • 1992 Dorgans Mini Coaches & Chauffeur Drive was formed as a 50/50 partnership between Thomas Dorgan and Stephen Millar.  Stephen Millar becomes Operations Manager

  • 1993 Dorgans start running their own tour program.

  • 1996 Dorgans moved to new premises at Bluebell Industrial Estate, Dublin 12.

  • Dorgans organise a Treasure Hunt involving 36 minibuses

  • 1997 Dorgans were proposed as a suitable member of the Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland by JJ Kavanagh and seconded by Paul Kavanagh

  • 1997 Dorgans invest 1 Million euro in new vehicles

  • 1997 Campbell Mini Coaches cease trading

  • 1998 June: The Travel Bank Ltd was formed with Stephen Millar, Thomas Dorgan and Brenda Mackin as directors and shareholders

  • 1997 December: Thomas Dorgan passes away at St Vincents Private Hospital, Dublin

  • 1999 Half Moon Swimming Club dedicate an annual 5Km swimming race in Dublin Bay to the memory of Thomas Dorgan

  • 1999 The remaining directors purchase a 5 acre site, 20 Minutes North of Dublin Airport

  • 2000 Dorgans goes online with its new website and computer booking system

  • 2001 Dorgans awarded bus/coach contract by Aer Lingus and Dublin Airport Authority on call 24 hours to cover flight delays and cancellations

  • 2001 Dorgans Celebrate 40 Years in business with Champagne Supper in Clontarf Castle Hotel

  • 2004 Dorgans changes its name to Dublin Mini Coaches & Chauffeur Drive a name which more accurately reflects the business speciality

  • Dublin Mini Coaches acquire south Dublin based coach company C & C Coach and Mini Bus Hire

  • Dublin Mini Coaches look after the transport arrangements for the visit of Bill Clinton, US President

  • 2006 Dublin Mini Coaches acquire south Dublin based coach company Busybus

  • 2006 During the Ryder Cup, Dublin Mini Coaches transported 600 visitors during the tournament between Dublin and the K Club, Co Kildare

  • 2007 Dublin Mini Coaches transported the Irish Special Olympic athletes to and from their training camps as they prepared for the 2007 world summer games in China

  • 2008 Dublin Mini Coaches transported a record number of over 1000 people to and from the Punchestown Races during the Irish National Hunt Meet

  • 2009 Despite the economic problems facing Ireland, Dublin Mini Coaches continued to invest in new vehicles and staff, and like many other Irish companies they tightened their belts in order to survive a tough year in business

  • MAY: Dublin Mini Coaches became an official sponsor of The Irish Long Distance Swimming Association

  • 2010 Baby boom with Dublin Mini Coaches staff, 5 girls to be born before October

  • Dublin Mini Coaches renew their sponsorship of the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association

  • 2010 Dublin Mini Coaches start preparing for their 50th Anniversary Celebrations in 2011

 

For some photographs from the past please visit our FaceBook page.