Preparations are under way in one west Cork village to mark the Ford centenary in vintage style. It was in 1903 that Henry Ford opened his first car manufacturing plant in Dearborn, Michigan.
But Ford's association with Ireland goes back to 1917, when the company registered here and opened its first factory for the manufacture of tractors at Marina, Cork. It later built the famous black Fords, and production continued until as recently as 1984 when manufacturing ceased.
However, the link between the company and the south-west remains, given the fact that Henry Ford's father, William, hailed from the village of Ballinascarty, just outside Clonakilty.
Born in 1826, William Ford emigrated to the United States at the age of 21, when Ireland was suffering the effects of the Famine.
It may be 177 years later but Ballinascarty continues to enjoy a strong association with Ford. Less than two years ago, a stainless-steel replica of Ford's Model T car was erected in the village.
"We've been trying to paint it for a while, but no matter what hour of the day you go down to it, there will be somebody queuing to get their picture taken in it. It's the most photographed car in the world, particularly for wedding albums," secretary of the Ballinascarty Community Festival, Ms Betty Hennessey, said.
Sponsored by Ford, the seven-day festival in the family's honour starts this weekend.
Included in the line-up is a race night in the Henry Ford Tavern and a Ford vintage evening on Sunday June 29th.
According to Ms Hennessey residents are very proud of the connection given the success of the Ford family. "William Ford was a Cork man by birth and the village will be busy celebrating his family for the week," she said.