Ireland has had various commercial shows down through the years but doesn't have the population to sustain a major motor show such as the ones staged in Geneva, Frankfurt or Amsterdam.
In a sign of how far the industry has come, the main dealers of 16 distributors based at Airside Motor Park, the largest motor retail park in the country, are hosting what they plan will be an annual motor show over three days next weekend.
From Friday 11th to Sunday 13th of November, the Airside Motor Show in Swords will highlight the new and the most-recently launched cars and commercial vehicles by the 16 different marques on sale in the motor park.
"The distributors have reacted very enthusiastically, promising to deliver the greatest ever number of new models and new model versions for any single motoring event in Ireland," says Joe Gantly, PR manager for Airside Motor Park.
The dealers at Airside are hoping the inaugural event will convey the scale of the Motor Park as a venue for car buyers in the east of the country.
The show will include the Irish debut for several models such as the Alfa Romeo 159, Chevrolet Lacetti 4-door 1.6, Chrysler Grand Voyager Stow 'n Grow, Citroen C1, Fiat Croma, Fiesta ST 170, New Focus Biofuel, Focus ST 220, Mondeo Platinum, Kia Magentis 06 range, Renault Megane Sport 225, Volkswagen Passat Variant and the Subaru Impreza '06, among others.
Recently launched models on show will include the Range Rover Sport, Volvo S40, Renault's New Clio III, and several from the Nissan stable.
Admission is free and visitors have the opportunity to test their real driving abilities at the Ireland Extreme off-road 4X4 course, which will be there for the three days, as well as Subaru's WRC World Rally Car and Volvo's Ocean Challenge Special Series cars with live coverage from the ocean race and an art exhibition.
Says Gantly: "The show has the largest number of new vehicles ever to make a simultaneous debut here. It was very much a motor show for motorists and at the right time to show new models and versions on a national stage".
In truth we're never going to get a fully-fledged car show here to rival Birmingham, never mind the likes of the Geneva Motor show, and the number of marques are limited, but for those seeking out a new car, it may be worth a weekend visit.