We recently received a donation of a rare printed notice headed Irish Manufacture. The notice was issued by the Dungarvan Artisans Association who had held a meeting in the Town Hall in August 1888. Edmond O'Shea was President of the society, John Butler, Vice President; R. Edward Brennan, Treasurer; and Edmond Foley was Hon. Secretary. The notice was aimed at the shopkeepers of Dungarvan.
"We the undersigned Tradesmen of this town, on behalf of ourselves and our brother artisans, wish to lay the following statement before you".
For many years past we have noticed a great falling off...in the sale of goods of local manufacture, especially in boots, shoes, clothing, nails and butter casks, while similar articles of foreign manufacture, and admittedly of inferior quality, have been extensively used. The result has been, to many of us, semi-starvation, destitution, and periodically the workhouse. We regret to learn that a solitary firm of Waterford Butter merchants are still importing Danish casks, and that they have established an agency in the town, and are thus depriving our coopers of their legitimate means of living.
The poor nailors of the town have also suffered much during the past winter ... but now, thanks to the patriotic action of the other trades (carpenters, bootmakers, shipwrights)...their condition is improving.
The notice was issued by the following tradesmen:-
Thomas Ryan (Bakers); Michael Moloney (Carpenters); Edmund Foley ( Cattle Dealers); John Butler (Building Trade); Michael Cashman (Coopers); Michael Street (Nailers); Michael Mulcahy (Mariners); James Merry (Typographical); John Carbery (Rope Makers); Willian Daly, William Cronin (Shoemakers); John Cowman (Painters); Edmond Foley (Tailors); Bernard Moloney (Saddlers); John Sarsfield (Shipwrights); J. Rossiter (Tobacco Spinners); Thomas Hore (Smiths); Patrick Sexton (Weavers).