Restoring the Past, Building the Future

Little Island CLaD Hub’s Horse Carriage Project

At Nua’s Little Island CLaD Hub in Cork, history and hands-on learning come together in a unique way. The Horse Carriage Restoration Project is breathing new life into two historic carriages, while also giving participants the chance to build skills, confidence and pride.

Led by Restoration Supervisor Barry Mullan, the project centres on two early 20th-century carriages sourced from Kerry: a Victorian carriage and a Landau carriage, once symbols of middle- and upper-class travel. Participants are carefully dismantling and restoring these pieces, learning everything from woodworking and metalwork to upholstery and historical research.

The Victorian Carriage

The Landau Carriage

But this is about much more than restoration. It’s a learning journey grounded in inclusion, teamwork and personal growth. Each step, whether identifying parts to reuse or rebuilding components from scratch, is a chance to gain practical experience and develop independence. Even small discoveries, like the origin of the term "dashboard", spark curiosity and conversation.

The project forms part of the broader CLaD Hub approach, which blends skills-based learning with individualised support. Facilitators guide participants through a structured programme, with every achievement recognised and celebrated.

As the carriages are brought back to life, so too are the talents and potential of those taking part. This collaboration of heritage and learning is creating something lasting — for both the carriages and the people involved.

The restoration is still underway, and we look forward to sharing the finished carriages once the work is complete.