The Limerick Shirt Factory, located at St. Ita’s, has seen significant growth and has a promising future. The quality of its shirts has garnered praise, with two of them having been personally attested to as excellent. The factory, which initially had a humble beginning, owes its establishment to the initiative and energy of Father Cregan , the administrator of St. Michael’s parish. Father Cregan started the industry with an initial capital of £100 a few years ago. At the outset, there were three workers and a forewoman, but now there are thirty-five employees.
Over time, the factory was transformed into a Limited Liability Company, with increased capital secured. Alderman O’Mara serves as one of the directors, and Mr O’Kane, an experienced and practical individual in the shirt industry, is the manager. The factory utilizes electric current to power its machines, which is supplied by the Limerick Corporation at an exceptionally low rate of 1d. per unit. Alderman O’Mara, while acknowledging some grievances against the Corporation, praised them for providing motor power at such an advantageous rate. He emphasized the affordability of motor power supplied by the Corporation, even compared to the United States.
Alderman O’Mara appealed to the public for support of the products manufactured at St. Ita’s factory. He requested that the public consider their products first, without expecting any compliments in return. The primary aim was to receive preference, and if the factory couldn’t offer the public products of comparable quality and price, they didn’t wish for the public’s patronage. The appeal was for the people of Limerick to favor their products with their purchases.
Father Cregan also noted the valuable support the Confraternity, particularly through the efforts of Father Creagh, had provided to the factory in its early years. Father Creagh encouraged Confraternity members to support local industries as a means of preventing emigration. This support included buying shirts from St. Ita’s and requesting them in various shops. The Confraternity’s contribution had a lasting impact on the factory’s success.
Dublin Leader – Saturday 30 June 1906
