The motor industry in Galway is mourning the passing of Bob Bradley (72), founder of Bradley Motors who died this week after a short illness.

Mr Bradley, a native of Athenry and from Monument Road in Menlo started Bradley Motors in 1971 after he served his apprenticeship in the Salthill Service Station.  He was a life-long member of Galway Motor Club where he served as President for a number of years and was a former Clerk of the Course of the Galway International and an active motorsport competitor.

In 1977 Bob Bradley set up a garage in Water Lane and later moved to Prospect Hill where he became the franchise dealer for the Land Rover and Jaguar brands. Bob was a great mechanic who built up a reputation for good service and which eventually led him to buying the site of the former Malachy Burke builders’ yard on the Dublin Road in 1992 and building a state-of-the-art garage and showroom.

Today Bradley Motors operate two premises in Galway; the headquarters in Renmore where the Range Rover, Land Rover and Jaguar brands are sold and the former Hanley Motors site on the Tuam Road where the Renault brand is housed. Three of Bob’s children followed him into the motor trade and are working in the family business; Robert is Dealer Principal, Tara is the Aftersales Director and Gillian is the Sales Accounts Director. 

With the passing of Bob Bradley, Galway has lost an iconic figure in the motor trade. Mr Bradley was predeceased by his wife Peggy (nee McCarthy) in 2010 and is survived daughters Brenda, Tara, Gillian, Carli and sons Robert and Peter.