Those Working in Ireland From the Mid 19th and 20th Century

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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M. & R. O'BOYLE

5/7, Chapel Lane, Belfast

This Belfast Religious Furnishings and Supplies business was established by Michael and Rose O'Boyle. They entered a mark 'M.O'B', contained within an oblong punch, with the Chester Assay Office on the 10th January 1961. They are thought to still be in business today.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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W. MACNAMARA

Henry Street, Kilrush, Co. Clare

W. MacNamara, Watch and Clock Maker, Henry Street, Kilrush: Begs to acquaint the public that he is prepared to give general satisfaction in the repair of Watches, Clocks and Jewellery.

Source: Kilrush Hearld - 11th November 1879

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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KEIRAN & DOLD

15, Great Brunswick Street, Dublin

Keiran and Dold, Watchmaker, Jewellers, 15, Great Brunswick street, Dublin; Gold and Silver Watches, fly backs, Repeaters, Diamonds, etc; every Watch thoroughly tested and timed; charges strictly moderate.

Source: Freeman's Journal - 1st November 1897

The partnership of John F.H. Keiran and perhaps Peter Dold.

The 1901 census reveals John F.H. Keiran as 25 year old, Dublin born, Jeweller. He lived with his widowed mother, 55 year old Jane M. Keiran and his three sisters, Mary 35, Margaret 32, and Annie M. 23 years old. John and his sisters are all unmarried. The family are recorded as Roman Catholics and have one live-in servant. The reside at 15, Great Brunswick Street, probably above the shop.

The 1911 census shows much change in the Keiran household. It appears that John Keiran has left the trade as he is now described as 'Clerk Shipping Mercantile Office'. He is now married, to 43 year old Mary and they have a 6 year old son, Walter. They reside at 13, St. Patrick's Road, Dublin.

The 'Dold' of Keiran & Dold, due to the unusual name, is perhaps to be identified with Peter Dold, who by the time of the 1901 census was located at Kilrush, Co. Clare. He was recorded as a 43 year old, German born, Watchmaker and Jeweller. He was married to 34 year old, Co. Clare born, Cathrine. They live with their children, Mary Jane 14, Joseph 13, Peter 10, Bedilia 7, and Francis De Sales 1 year of age. The family are recorded as Roman Catholics, have two live-in servants, and reside at 119, Moore Street, Kilrush.

The 1911 census reveals Peter's actual place of birth as Friberg, Germany. Two of Peter's sons, Joseph Michael, now 23, and Peter, now 20, are described as Master Watchmakers and Jewellers. They still reside at 119, Moore Street, Kilrush.


An obituary that was published in the Clare Champion of 27th March 1943, states that Peter Dold (b.1858,d.1943) carried on a watch-making and jewellery business in Kilrush from 1882 and also reveals that the Kilrush Dolds were connected by marriage to the Weedle watchmaking family of Mallow, Co. Cork.


Peter Dold, junior, with his brothers, Joseph and Francis attended the schools for many years. Peter and Francis conduct a successful jewellry business in Kilrush. Joseph died in an internment camp during the European war.

Source: Christian Brothers, Kilrush, Souvenir of the Golden Jubilee 1874 - 1924 - 1924


MARRIAGES.
DOLD and DALY - November 11, 1924, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Mallow, by the Rev. J. Roche, C.C., Francis, youngest son of Mr. Peter Dold and the late Mrs. Dold, Kilrush, Co. Clare, to Katty, third daughter of the late Daniel Daly and Mrs. Daly, Beecher street, Malllow.


Source: Irish Independent - 22nd November 1924

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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R. McDOWELL & Co.Ltd.

14, High Street and 68, Ann Street, later, 18, High Street, Belfast


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R. McDowell & Co. Ltd. - Belfast - c.1925


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Sales-box detail

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R. McDowell & Co. Ltd. - Belfast - c.1925

Directors: R. McDowell and Sydney Hanna.


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R. McDowell & Co. Ltd. - Belfast - 1938

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R. McDowell & Co. Ltd. - Belfast - 1941

R. McDowell & Co. entered a mark 'R.McD&Co' with the Birmingham Assay Office.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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JOHN McDOWELL

Belfast

Possibly to be identified with the above post.

The 1901 Irish Census reveals John McDowell as a 36 year old, Belfast born working jeweller. He was married to 34 year old, Co. Tyrone born Martha, and they live with their children, Annie 10, Alexander 7, Herbert 4, Isabel 2, and a baby who was just seven days old at the time of the census. Also present were John's nephew, Samuel Martin, and two female boarders. The family's religion was recorded as Presbyterian, and they reside at 22, Posnett Street, Cromac, Belfast.

The 1911 census reveals that the family have removed to 16, Cromwell Road, Cromac, Belfast.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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GILMOUR & SON

The Diamond, Coleraine


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Gilmour & Son - Coleraine - Sales-box detail


The 1901 Irish Census reveals Margaret Gilmour as a 43 year old, Co. Monaghan born Jeweller. She is a widow and lives with her children, John 19, Robert 15, William 12, and Susan 7. The family's religion was recorded as Presbyterian. They have one live-in servant, and reside at 20, The Diamond, Coleraine.

The 1911 census reveals that the family now reside at 18, The Diamond. Margaret J. Gilmour is described as a Watchmaker Jeweller. The only son present at the time of the census was John, now 29 years and described as a Chemist.

By 1918 the business was styled Gilmour & Son.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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JAMES BYRNE

Dublin

A 1939 article written by H. Kennedy following the closure of James Byrne's workshop:

LAST OF THE IRISH SILVERSMITHS

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Ciborium on a design adapted from the Ardagh Chalice, made for San Diego Cathedral, California.
Silver work by James Byrne, the subject of this article. Jewellery work by Robert Wallace, who died last year.


The boast that could have been made in the time when the Ardagh Chalice and the Cross of Cong were in the making, namely, that some of the best silver work in the world was being done in Ireland, could have been made up to quite recently. But when Mr. James Byrne, at the age of 61 last month, closed for good his workshop on a top floor in Grafton Street, the last of the great Irish silversmiths had laid down his hammer.

Lest this my thought an idle statement; it need only be mentioned that it was he who made the Crucifix, the Tabernacle door, the monstrance, and all the silver for the Honan Chapel in Cork. He has made pieces of modern plate and copies of old Irish silver masterpieces for every world exhibiton, from the Paris Exhibition in 1900 to the Glasgow Exhibition of last year. He has made pieces of presentation plate for Cardinals, Princes, and Viceroys, croziers for bishops of three continents, including one for Archbishop Mannix, and chalices and ciboriums for some of the most famous churches of Europe and America.

When he entered his apprenticeship in 1891 the Dublin smiths still foraged their own silver over a turf fire, and then fashioned it with hammers whose heads were made of buffalo horn. The apprenticeship lasted for seven years, and was admitted to be more exacting than the training in the best English workshops. The Dublin smith, in making a piece, whether it was a teapot, a cake dish, or a salt cellar, had to make every part of it himself. There was no question of doing what was done in the English workshops, where, in making, say, a teapot, one man would make the body, another the spout, and another the handle.

What was to be the greatest influence in James Byrne's work began when he was 21 years old and was just a year out of his apprenticeship. He was called into the office by his employer, handed a chalice, which was supposed to be a replica of the Ardagh chalice, and asked to go over to the National Museum, and compare it to the original. After seeing the famous chalice for the first time and studying it he came back and reported that the replica was not a good one. His employed disbelieved him. Back the two went to the Museum together, and in the end Byrne's report was vindicated.

From that time onward he became a frequent visitor to the Museum. Sometimes when at work on a chalice or crucifix embodying some part of the design of the Ardagh or De Burgh chalice or Cross of Cong, he would visit the Museum two or three times a day for weeks, studying one small part of the design at each visit.

Even after years of study and reproduction, when he used to stand in front of one of these pieces of old Celtic designwith one of his fellow-craftsmen, they used to admit themselves baffled as to how some of the finer parts were done.

Even in the nineties the industrial and social changes, which were to destroy the hand-wrought Irish silver trade were under way. It was in '95 that the first machinery for making silver plate was installed in Dublin, in a shop in Fade Street. Here the silver was fashioned by a rapidly revolving wheel instead of by the laborious process of hammering. Wages of over £5 a week could be made in this "Klondyke" as it was called, and a number of silversmiths forsook their hammers and their £2 a week jobs to work in Fade St.

The decrease in the demand for hammered silver was accelerated by certain social changes which, though good in themselves, had certain unfortunate consequences. The landed gentry's decline meant the loss of one good class of customer. The departure of the British Viceroys and the British Army was another loss, for the Viceroys and their entourages used to take away much Irish silver as souvenirs of their days in Ireland.

The decline of the trade was reflected in changes in the premises in which James Byrne had worked from about a year after he served his apprenticeship. The firm of Edmund Johnston (founded 1831), which at one time occupied one of the biggest sites in Grafton Street employed almost 50 men in enamelling and silver work, sharing a top floor attic, where Byrne had conducted a business with the help of two jewellers and a polisher. He had put five good apprentices through a complete seven years of training, giving them the same care as he had been given himself, but not one of them had been able to find employment at his trade, three emigrated to America, one became a bus driver, and another drove a milk cart.

There is still a little hand made silver being worked on in Dublin and in Cork, but unless there are great and unexpected orders we shall soon see the end of the only art in which Ireland once led the world and in which our eminence had survived in our own times.


Source: The Irish Independent - H. Kennedy - 13th April 1939

An image and details of James Byrne's apprenticeship indenture can be found at: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 75&t=32412

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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AARON FIGATNER

26, Wellington Quay, Dublin

Described as a Ring Maker and Diamond Setter to the trade and Dealer in precious stones. Established in 1872.

Source: A Commercial Directory of the Jews of the United Kingdom - G. Eugine Harfield - 1894


In 1850 an engraver, Robert Mahony, occupied 26, Wellington Quay.

Aaron Figatner was mentioned in the Sirens episode in James Joyce's Ulysses.


The 1901 Irish Census reveals Aaron Figatner as a 48 year old Jeweller, born in Cracow. He lives with his newly married wife, 22 year old, Dublin born Julia, at his mother-in-law's, Anne Glynn, hotel at 11, Lower Dominick Street, Dublin. Aaron Figatner is now recorded as a Roman Catholic.

The 1911 Irish Census describes Aaron as an Antique Dealer. He and Julia live with their two children, Joseph 9, and Mary 7 years of age. They now reside at 67.2, Dalymount, Dublin.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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LOUIS ALBON

76, Lower Gardiner Street, and 20, Talbot Street, Dublin

Described as a Watchmaker and Jeweller of 76, Lower Gardiner Street, and 20, Talbot Street, Dublin in 1894.

Source: A Commercial Directory of the Jews of the United Kingdom - G. Eugine Harfield - 1894

The 1901 Irish Census reveals Louis Albon as a 49 year old, Prussian born, Commission Agent in fancy goods and jewellery. He is married to 49 year old, Russian born, Elizabeth. They live with their three children, Wila 21, Lilly 12, and Dolly 11 years of age, at the house of Elizabeth's Russian born parents, Isaac and Julia Samuels located at 75, South Circular Road, Portobello, Wood Quay, Dublin. Children Lilly and Dolly were both born in Ireland, but eldest daughter Wila was born in Wales, an indicator perhaps of where Louis was working in 1880. Their religion was recorded as Israelite.

With the exception of Lily and Dolly (now Lillie and Dollie), the family do not appear in the 1911 Irish Census. Lillie and Dollie still reside at their grandparent's house at 75, South Circular Road.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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SYDNEY HANNA

17, Royal Avenue, later, 22, and 18, Arthur Street, Belfast

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Sydney Hanna - 1921

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Box detail

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Sydney Hanna - Belfast - 1940

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Sydney Hanna - Belfast - 1941

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Sydney Hanna - Belfast - 1955

Allen Sydney Hanna was born around 1897. As a youth he was a keen member of the Boy Scout Movement, it was an interest that later led to many years service as a Scoutmaster at Belfast. In 1917 he was commissioned into the Royal Flying Corps, but was captured and served out the remaining months of the conflict as a prisoner of war. Upon his release and return home, he resumed his scouting activities and also later became a prominent jeweller in Belfast, with his first noted premises being located at 17, Royal Avenue in the 1920's.

As can be seen in the 1940 advertisement, there had been a connection with the Belfast Jeweller and Silversmith R. McDowell & Co.Ltd (see above post) that ceased around that time and Sydney Hanna re-established himself as an independent Goldsmith and Silversmith at 22, Arthur Street. He was later to relocate to 18, Arthur Street. Sydney Hanna was also a prominent Mason and was later awarded the M.B.E.

Jewellery has been noted stamped 'Sydney Hanna Belfast'.

The 1901 Irish Census reveals Allen Sydney Hanna as the 4 year old, Co. Down born son of John Allen Hanna, a 32 year old, Co. Antrim born, Pawnbroker. His mother was recorded as 33 year old, May Hanna, who was born in Co. Down. The family also consisted of Sydney's sister, 1 year old Winifred May. They resided at 193, Albertbridge Road, Pottinger, Co.Down. Their religion was recorded as Presbyterian.

The 1911 Irish Census records that the family had relocated to 62, North Road, Pottinger, Co.Down. Sydney Hanna was recorded in this census as Alan Sydney, rather than the 1901 version, Allen Sydney.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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ABRAHAM RUBIN

24, Warren Street, and 8, Wexford Street, Dublin

Described as a Wholesale and Retail Watchmaker and Jeweller of 24, Warren Street, and 8, Wexford Street, Dublin, in 1894.

Source: A Commercial Directory of the Jews of the United Kingdom - G. Eugine Harfield - 1894

Abraham Rubin does not appear to have been recorded in the Irish Censuses of 1901 and 1911.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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HUGH M'CORMICK

5, Castle Buildings, Belfast

Hugh M'Cormick was a former employee of Neil Brothers (John Ross Neil and James Neil, 23, High Street, Belfast).

In 1863 he advertised:

HUGH M'CORMICK
(Late of Neil Bros.)
WATCHMAKER, GOLD AND SILVERSMITH, OPTICAN, &c., &c.,
BEGS TO INFORM HIS FRIENDS AND the public in general that his Stock of Goods in the various departments of his Trade are of the newest and most artistic designs, all being selected by himself in the various markets and from the best makers.
During the last week his Stock has been greatly increased in every branch of the Trade.
INSPECTION SOLICITED
5, CASTLE BUILDINGS,
Corner of Donegall Place and Castle Place.
Repairs carefully and neatly executed by competent Workmen on the Premises.
27th June 1863


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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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GEORGE R. HARKNESS

3, Grattan Street, Tipperary


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George R. Harkness - Tipperary - 1889

The 1901 Irish Census reveals George Harkness as a 40 year old, Co. Tipperary born Watchmaker and Jeweller. He is married to 34 year old Margaret, and they live with their six children, Emily 12, Daisy 10, Willie 8, Charlie 6, Mabel 4, and Rose 1 year old, all of whom were born in Co. Tipperary. The family reside at 2, Grattan Street, Tipperary, and their religion was recorded as Church of Ireland.

The 1911 Irish Census reveals Margaret Harkness, described as the 'Head of the Family', living alone at the time of the census, at 2, Grattan Street, Tipperary. In this census Margaret has revised her birthplace to Limerick City. She recorded herself as married for 23 years and having nine children, of whom seven were living.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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JAMES KERNAN

Dublin

Noted in a Sydney, Australia, newspaper:

KERNAN - June 1, of bronchitis, Catherine Alice, aged 14 years; and on June 6, Mary, last surviving daughters of Mr. James Kernan, silversmith, late of Dublin.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald - 9th June 1866. Repeated in the Empire - 11th June 1866.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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WILLIAM REDFERN

Dublin and New South Wales

OBITUARY
WILLIAM REDFERN
As mentioned briefly in our last issue, one of the district's most widely known and most popular identities, Mr. William Bridson Redfern, passed away at the District Hospital on July 12, at the age of 60 years.
An Irishman of the most genial and likeable type, he spent his early years in Dublin, where he was trained as a silversmith, and, as an ardent patron of the famous old Abbey Theatre, revelled in that cultural atmosphere which, combined with wide reading of later years, made him an interesting conversationalist on almost any topic, and aided a natural gift for anecdote for which he was widely noted in this district.
Coming to Australia as a young man, he first entered business life here as a carrier from various district centres, later centralising his business at Windsor, where he took up residence and speedily became one of the town's most popular personalities. A man of infinite resource, he was particularly noted in his occupation for undertaking successfully difficult removal jobs which required considerable ingenuity to carry out, and which others were reluctant to accept.
Modest and unassuming to a degree, he was rarely, if ever, heard to make an uncharitable reference to any one, and his genial presence and unfailing smile will be greatly missed by a host of friends in all walks of life in the district, whose sympathy is extended to Mrs. Redfern, son William and daughter Nancye in their loss.
The very large and representative funeral took place on July 14, when the interment was conducted in the Church of England cemetery at Windsor, the Rev. D. G. McCraw officiating.


Source: Windsor and Richmond Gazette (New South Wales) - 23rd July 1952

The 1901 Irish Census reveals 8 year old, Dublin born, William Redfern as the son of 45 year old, English born, Ironmonger, William Redfern and his wife, 44 year old, Isle of Man born, Eliza. William jnr. has five sisters and two brothers and they reside at 174, Leeson Park Avenue, Dublin. The family's religion was recorded as Church of Ireland.

The 1911 Irish Census reveals William, now 18 years, has lost his father and now Eliza is head of the family. The family now reside at 31, Leeson Park Avenue, and William was recorded as a Silversmith.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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THOMAS McLELLAN

8, Castle Place, Belfast

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Thomas McLellan was noted in 1909 as a 'Cutler & Optician', and in 1922 as a 'Cutler & Silversmith', both of 8, Castle Place, Belfast.

The 1901 Irish Census reveals Thomas McLellan as a 16 year old, Belfast born Salesman. He is the son of 51 year old, Scottish born Thomas, who was recorded as a Cutler, and a widower. Thomas jnr. has one brother, Alexander 7 years old, and two sister, Sarah 13, and Jeanie 10 years old. They reside at 51 Antrim Road, Belfast and have one live-in servant. The family's religion was recorded as Presbyterian.

The 1911 Irish Census reveals Thomas jnr. is now the head of the family. He is described as Cutler Shopman Master. The family now reside at 6, Cliftonville Avenue, Belfast.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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P.T. MURPHY

85, High Street, Kilkenny

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This business was established in 1903 by Patrick Thomas Murphy. One hundred and ten years later, and not too much has changed, the firm of P.T. Murphy is still located in its original premises at 85, High Street, Kilkenny, and the business is still in the hands of the same family, now in its fourth generation.

Patrick Murphy passed the business to his daughter, Frances and her husband, Eamonn Costello in 1940, they in turn passed it to their son Seamus in the 1970's. Seamus Costello is the present proprietor and he has been joined in the business by his sons, Martin and Stephen.

The 1901 Irish Census reveals Patrick as the son of Michael Murphy, a 59 year old Publican, born in Kilkenny City, and his 40 year old wife, Catherine, who was born in County Kilkenny. Patrick is recorded as a 22 year old Watchmaker. Other members present include, Patrick's brother, John 19, Agnes 14, Catherine 9, and Josephine 5 years of age. The family reside 41,High Street East Side, Kilkenny.

The 1911 Irish Census reveals Patrick Thomas Murphy as a 31 year old, Kilkenny born, Watchmaker. He lives with his two sisters, Agnes C. 22, and Kathleen May, aged 16 years. They reside at 36, High Street East Side, Kilkenny. They were all unmarried, and their religion recorded as Roman Catholic.

There appears to be some confusion between the two censuses, but Patrick's details seem correct.

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T. PHILLIPS

13, Essex Quay, Dublin

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T. Phillips - Dublin - 1904

Established 1851.

The 1901 Irish Census reveals Henry Phillips as a 46 year old, Dublin born, Master Gold Beater. He lives with his widowed mother, 81 year old, London born, Sarah, and his sister and niece. They reside at 13, Essex Quay, and their religion recorded as Church of England.

The 1901 Irish Census also reveals Arthur Phillips as a 19 year, Dublin born, Apprentice Gold Beater, living with his 47 year old, American born, mother, Monica, and four brothers and four sisters, at 9, Wellington Place West, Merchants Quay, Dublin.

The 1911 Irish Census shows the family reunited and residing at 90, Circular Road, Portobello, Dublin. Henry and Arthur are described as Gold Beaters.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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EDWARD POLLAND Ltd.

Washington House, 18, High Street, Belfast


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Mr. E. Polland

Washington House, the jewellery establishment of Mr. Ed. Polland, 18, High Street, is so well known that little need be said about it. That it is known outside Belfast is apparent to any one who sees the arrival of its daily letter bag, or sees the large number of valuable articles - gold and silver jewellery and watches - being packed to be dispatched in registered packages by the afternoon and evening posts to all parts of the country. From the number of engagement and wedding rings alone sent out this way one would imagine that a large proportion of lovers in our isle are aware of the beautiful selection provided by Mr. Polland. To Belfast people who have gone inside the establishment for the first time the magnificent appearance of the shop, which, it is claimed, is the largest of its kind in Ireland, comes as a surprise. It is literally teeming with fashionable goods at prices suitable alike for the pockets of the artisan or the merchant prince. The stock of new diamond and gem goods and articles in fine gold, comprising bangles, in curb and other up-to-date designs; rings, and brooches, is endless, and for presents suitable for gentlemen, there are scarf pins, sovereign purses, matchboxes, cigarette and cigar cases, links, studs, and gold and silver pencils. The large selection of silver and electro-plate gives the customer a wide field of variety to choose from, while the clock department is replete with neat and chaste timepieces, drawing-room and marble clocks of latest designs, from London and Paris. Certainly the establishment is worthy of a visit from those buying Christmas presents, and the trade already being done in that line in this old house gives evidence that Mr. Polland will have a busy time of it.


Source. Belfast News Letter - 16th December 1899


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A silverplated table spoon marked with a British Registry Mark for the 10th January 1882.

Edward Polland appears in Belfast directories as a Watchmaker of 10, Hudson Street in 1877, a Watchmaker of 108, Dover Street in 1880, a Watchmaker & Jeweller of 18, High Street in 1901 and as Edward Polland Ltd, Watchmakers & Jewellers of 18, High Street in 1907 and 1910.

The 1901 Irish Census reveals Edward Polland as a 52 year old, Co. Down born, Watchmaker and Jeweller, he is married to 51 year old, Co. Antrim born, Mary Jane. They have five sons, William 24, described as a Jewellery Salesman, Samuel 19, described as Apprentice to Jewellery, James 16, Joseph 15, described as Apprentice to Watchmaking, and Edward 13 years of age. They have one daughter, Margaret, described as Clerk Jewellery. Edward's father, 84 year old, William, is also present in the house, along with Edward's sister-in-law, 40 year old, Margaret Kerr. The family reside at 80, High Street, and their religion recorded as Presbyterian.

The family do not appear to have been recorded in the 1911 Irish Census.

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Re: Firms Working in Ireland in the Late 19th and 20th Centu

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DENIS DUGGAN

Dublin

There died in Dublin recently Denis Duggan, who took part in the rescue of Stephens, the Fenian head centre, and figured in the rising of 1867, and was notorious by his connection with the rescue of Fenian prisoners in Australia in 1870. He was a Dublin watchmaker, joined the Fenians in 1861, and was in charge of the largest circle in Dublin. After the rescue of Stephens he was arrested, and only released on promising to quit the country. He then went to London, and joined the Irish Volunteers there. He returned to Ireland shortly before the rising, and was second in command of the party that captured the police barracks at Stepanda aud Gleucullen. On the suppression of the movement he escaped to America, and in 1875 joined the party that sailed to Australia in the Catalpa, where he assisted in the rescue of the Fenian military prisoners. He had a very large funeral, amongst those present being Messrs O'Brien and Davitt.

Source: Otago Daily Times - 24th October 1884


REMARKABLE DEMONSTRATION. Dublin was the scene of an extraordinary demonstration on Sunday, September 14, when a public funeral was accorded to a deceased rebel, who, among a certain class, was regarded as a hero. Between ten and fifteen thousand of the artisan and labouring classes of the Irish metropolis marched in procession through the chief streets of the city, to pay a public tribute of respect to the memory of a man whose only claim to their esteem was that he had been a prominent Fenian. The men marched six deep. The cortege was nearly half an hour passing a given point. Denis Duggan, who died in Dublin on September, 10, was an active member of this criminal society between 1861 and 1867. He was one of those who participated in the rescue of James Stephens from Richmond Prison. He was one of the leaders of the Fenian rising in the county Dublin in 1867; but he escaped to America, and some years later he was one of those who successfully planned and aided in the liberation of the Fenian military prisoners in Australia. Duggan returned to Ireland about a month since to die at home, he being in a very advanced stage of consumption. The moment his death became known it was resolved to give him a lying in state and a public funeral. The corpse was drawn in an open hearse, by four horses, some eight men acting as pall bearers. The coffin was enveloped at the foot by the American flag, and at the head by a green flag bearing a crownless harp. Upon the breastplate was an inscription mentioning, the age, place of birth, and death of " Captain Denis Duggan, of the United States Army," and underneath were the words "And of the Irish Army." Immediately following the hearse came two men, one of whom carried the American flag, and the other a green flag, both folded and shrouded in crape. Michael Davitt was one of the occupants of the carriage which came after the mourning coach. Mr. Wm. O'Brien, M.P., Mr. Leamy, M.P., and Mr. McMahon, M.P., represented the Irish Parliamentary party at the funeral, while there were two members of the Dublin Corporation in attendance. Half a-dozen carriages, and as many cabs with people, brought up the end of the procession, which went by Dame-street past Dublin Castle. When the place of Emmet's execution in Thomas-street was reached, there was a halt made for a few moments, and all heads were uncovered. The procession came round by the King's Bridge, along the quays, and up Sackville-street, to Glasnevin Cemetery. The streets were crowded by persons who had been waiting a couple of hours for the funeral. It was two o'clock before Sackville-street was reached. Numbers of persons who had been waiting on the footpath joined the procession, which, by the time it got to Rutland Square, swelled to 15,000. There was a great crush at the grave, but everything passed off quietly. Numbers of detectives were stationed along the route, noting those who were participating in the procession.

Source: New Zealand Herald - 5th November 1884

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