Business and Commerce

Historical stories concerning shops, markets, banks, merchants, companies, advertising, trade and commercial life in Limerick and Ireland between 1900 and 2000, including the growth, decline and influence of local businesses and employers.

Civic Compromise

Gerard Hannan 3 weeks ago

Mayor John Daly was returned unopposed when Limerick Corporation assembled for its quarterly election of civic officers. The council then proceeded to choose three qualified burgesses whose names would be submitted for appointment as City High Sheriff. The principal contest appeared likely to involve the serving sheriff, Thomas H. Cleeve, and John F. Power. Their disagreement arose from the proposed amalgamation of the Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway with the Great Southern and Western Railway, an issue that had united much of the Corporation, harbour administration and commercial community in organised opposition.

Read Article

Inquiry Announced

Gerard Hannan 3 weeks ago

The Inspectors of Irish Fisheries announced that they would hold an official inquiry in Limerick on 30 January 1900 into the works proposed by the Shannon Water and Electric Power Syndicate. Notice of the hearing was sent to Limerick County Council as opposition widened among fishery owners, navigational interests and public authorities. The inquiry offered affected parties an opportunity to place technical evidence and local objections before officials responsible for protecting Irish fisheries. It also moved the controversy beyond public resolutions, requiring the promoters to answer detailed questions about water diversion, river levels and the consequences of their proposed generating works.

Read Article

Electric Lighting

Gerard Hannan 3 weeks ago

Limerick Corporation voted by twenty-four members to four to adopt J. Enright’s proposal for lighting the city by electricity. The decision, reported on 12 January 1900, authorised a scheme designed to provide an installation meeting the technical requirements administered by the Board of Trade. Enright was described as being from London, suggesting that the Corporation had sought outside expertise for a modern undertaking of considerable engineering and financial importance. The decisive majority indicated that most councillors accepted electric lighting as a necessary civic improvement, despite continuing disagreement over how power should be produced and supplied.

Read Article

Takeover Opposed

Gerard Hannan 3 weeks ago

Limerick Corporation unanimously authorised formal opposition to the proposed sale of the Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway to the Great Southern and Western Railway. At a special meeting reported on 5 January 1900, William L. Stokes, JP, moved that the Corporation’s solicitor be empowered to resist the scheme and take every necessary step on the city’s behalf. Councillor O’Brien seconded the motion. Several interested citizens attended beyond the council barrier, reflecting the strength of public concern surrounding the renewed amalgamation bill. The resolution was carried unanimously and received applause from those observing the proceedings.

Read Article

Shannon Defence

Gerard Hannan 3 weeks ago

On 2 January 1900, the Limerick Fishery Conservators unanimously opposed the scheme promoted by the Shannon Water and Electric Power Company. Meeting under Lord Massy’s chairmanship, the members viewed the proposed parliamentary bill as a direct threat to interests dependent upon the river. Their objections extended beyond salmon fishing to navigation, milling and the public water supply of Limerick. The Conservators feared that private promoters seeking to harness the Shannon for electricity might secure broad powers before the consequences for existing river users had been fully investigated or adequately protected.

Read Article

Railway Resistance

Gerard Hannan 3 weeks ago

On 2 January 1900, the Freeman’s Journal reported that the Limerick Harbour Commissioners had again engaged Mr Fottrell, a Dublin solicitor, to organise opposition to the renewed railway amalgamation scheme. He was also instructed to retain senior counsel on the Commissioners’ behalf. The proposed arrangement would absorb the Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway into the larger Great Southern and Western Railway system. By appointing legal representatives before the parliamentary contest developed further, the Harbour Commissioners signalled that they regarded the scheme not as a private commercial transaction, but as a matter affecting the future prosperity of Limerick and its port.

Read Article

Mallow Inheritance

Gerard Hannan 3 weeks ago

William Cecil Pery’s choice of “Mallow” as the territorial designation of his barony appears to have reflected his close relationship with Mrs Theodosia Clayton and a probable inheritance from her family’s County Cork property. The Claytons had long been associated with Annabella, an estate outside Mallow, and retained considerable interests within the manor. When Pery was created Baron Glentworth of Mallow in 1790, the title joined the older Wray connection represented by Glentworth with a Cork property interest that had entered the Pery family’s expanding network of estates, financial responsibilities and social alliances.

Read Article

Georgian Vision

Gerard Hannan 3 weeks ago

Edmond Sexten Pery emerged as one of the most accomplished Irish parliamentarians and urban improvers of the eighteenth century. Representing Limerick City in parliament, he combined political skill with a practical interest in construction, land development and civic expansion. His election as Speaker of the Irish House of Commons in 1771 placed him in an office of considerable authority during a period when parliamentary procedure, patronage and government policy were closely connected. Returned to the chair three times, Pery remained Speaker until 1785 and used his standing in Dublin to advance measures and obtain public funding that benefited Limerick.

Read Article

Creamery Rivalry

Gerard Hannan 3 weeks ago

Local disputes are arising between co-operative creameries owned by milk suppliers and privately operated concerns seeking to retain control of established dairying districts. The rivalry is especially significant in County Limerick, where cattle, milk and butter provide income for farmers, labourers, carriers and merchants. Co-operative organisers argue that producers should collectively own the machinery through which their milk is processed and marketed. Private proprietors answer that independently managed businesses can offer efficient service without requiring farmers to invest capital, accept committee authority or assume responsibility for commercial losses.

Read Article

Creamery Contest

Gerard Hannan 3 weeks ago

Agricultural co-operation is challenging the private commercial control long exercised over Irish butter production and marketing. Farmer-owned creameries allow milk suppliers to combine their resources, process milk by machinery and sell butter through organisations answerable to their members. The movement carries particular importance in County Limerick, where dairying supports farmers, labourers, carriers, merchants and rural households. Supporters argue that producers should receive a greater share of the value created from their milk instead of remaining dependent upon private creamery proprietors, butter buyers and commercial intermediaries whose interests may not coincide with those of farming communities.

Read Article