Limerick influencer's cherished family heirloom gets new lease of life

A CHERISHED, old toy passed on from generation to generation has found new purpose in one Limerick woman's home.

Entrepreneur and social media influencer, Louise Cooney, shared an adorable snap to her 240k Instagram followers of her two-month-old baby, Jude Sweeney, sitting in his grandfather Tony Cooney’s old toy car.

The small car is an Army Commando pedal car - a Giordani - and is one for a child to sit in and wheel themselves around with their legs.

Tony has had it restored after many years to its prime condition. He said: “The Giordani pedal car was delivered to me by Santa in 1967 when we lived in St Michael’s Street, in Tipperary Town. I was three-years-old.

“The pedal car was well-used and played with by me and my friends from 1967 to 1969.”

Louise shared snaps on her Instagram stories alongside baby Jude, sitting upright in the car with father, Mark Sweeney, next to their Christmas tree.

Later, the 31-year-old from Dooradoyle shared an old photograph of her father Tony, as a child, sitting in the same toy car on Christmas Day, 1967.

“By April 1969, I was too big for the pedal car and it was parked up,” Tony continued.

“We moved house in 1969 and the pedal car was the first item into the loft in the new garage. It rested there until found in April 2021.

“So, it was 52 years in the loft and undisturbed.

“The pedal car was brought back to life by toy restorer Bob Heaton from Bandon, Cork. Bob worked on the pedal car for a number of months in 2021,” Tony explained.

Irish hairstylist helps Cillian Murphy look like a 'boss' for Golden Globes

Louise gave birth to Jude in November last.

She posted her pregnancy announcement while pictured alongside boyfriend Mark and photographs of her scans in May 2023.

Since then, she has shared fashion ideas and style tips for maternity wear on her platform. Louiseshares lifestyle updates since giving birth to baby Jude and kept followers updated on his first Christmas in December.

Louise founded an athleisure clothing line, Cloo, and an alcoholic sparkling wine brand, 67 Spritz.