I knew that before 1914, motoring was pretty rare. but I hadn't quite thought through the implication that it was perfectly possible as a result to just ... publish a book with all the cars in it. here: all of Ireland. https://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/IrishMotorDirectory1914.htm

(my grandfather's town - a perfectly respectable and prosperous coastal resort - had two thousand people, twelve cars and three motorbikes.)