Page 83 - GAHS Journal Volume 9

GREYSTONES ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY JOURNAL VOLUME 9

short, except some that flow westward: the principal are
the Liffey, the Slaney, the Ovoca, the Vartrey, and the
Derry, Daragh, or Aughrim…. “

Factories

From Samuel Lewis’s description of 1837 [7], the factories
were quite numerous.

Christopher Dromgoole erected a factory in 1802 near
Ballymore Eustace that produced many different types
of cloth and, when in full production, provided employ-
ment for 700 persons.

In Baltinglass they manufactured linen, woollen and
diaper cloth. There were two bleaching greens for
4
improving the linen and an extensive flour mill. In
Stratford on Slaney there were also some extensive
cotton and calico -printing works. Adjoining the town, on
5
the bank of the river, the extensive works, established in
1792, by Messrs. Orr and Co; in 1837 they employed from
800 to 1000 persons: the machinery was worked by water
power, and the average number of pieces printed and
finished weekly was about 2000. The history of Calico
printing is fascinating, relating to trade wars, import tariffs,
and social demand.

Bray had established a very extensive brewery (possibly
H. Christie 1824), with a malting store capable of
producing 300 barrels a week. Nearby was a large flour
mill.

4 Diaper cloth made of repeated looped cotton fabric used for adult or baby
napkins.
5 Calico unbleached cotton cloth sometimes rough in texture.
79