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3. Irish Trade Unions and Politics, 1830–50

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2009

Rachel O'Higgins
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Extract

The extent and influence of political and economic organizations among the lower classes was a marked feature of Irish life in the early nineteenth century. Trade unions flourished among the workers of many trades and were bitterly resented by manufacturers.1 These unions were primarily concerned to protect the living standards of their members against the encroachments of the employers. However, matters of national importance also excited their attention. Tradesmen all over Ireland supported the agitation for Repeal of the Act of Union (1801). A number of Dublin tradesmen took part in the revolutionary disturbances in 1848. In Ireland organization for political and economic ends in opposition to the dominant orthodoxy was a familiar and honoured tradition.

Type
Communications
Information
The Historical Journal , Volume 4 , Issue 2 , June 1961 , pp. 208 - 217
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1961

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References

1 References to Irish trade unionism appear in the following parliamentary papers: Reports from the select committee appointed to inquire into the state of the law respecting artisans...and machinery, H.C. 1824 (51) v; Report from the select committee-appointed to inquire into...combinations of workmen, H.C. 1825 (129), viii; Two reports from the select committee appointed to inquire into...combinations of workmen, H.C. 1837–8 (488 and 646), VIII.

Police reports contain valuable information relating to combinations and ‘unions of trades’. Cf. S.P.O. Is., Chief Secretary's Office Registered Papers (1841–3), P.R.O. State of the Country Papers (2nd ser. 1820–31); Trinity College, Police Reports of Confederate Clubs in Dublin (1848–9).

Contemporary pamphlets on unionism include George Kerr, Exposition of Legislative Tyranny and Defence of the Trade Union. Respectfully dedicated to the Trade Unionists of Great Britain and Ireland (Belfast, 1834).

Published works which deal with Irish trade unionism include J. D. Clarkson, Labour and Nationalism in Ireland (New York, 1925), which is especially useful. Cf. also W. P. Ryan, The Irish Labour Movement from the twenties to our own day (Dublin, 1919); Sidney and Beatrice Webb, The History of Trade Unionism (rev. ed. 1920); James Connolly, Labour in Ireland (new edn. Dublin, 1944); J. J. Webb, Industrial Dublin since 1698 and the Silk Industry (Dublin and London, 1913).

2 In 1800 the number of workers in the Irish cotton industry was estimated at between thirty and forty thousand. Cf. C. S. Parker, Memoirs and Correspondence of Viscount Castle-reagh (1848–53), m, 252. In 1822 the total number of workers was said to be between three and five thousand hands. Cf. Edinburgh Review, June 1822, 98.

3 3 Geo. II, c. 14 (Ir.). ‘An act to prevent the unlawful combinations of workmen, artificers, and labourers employed in the several trades and manufactures of this kingdom, and for the better payment of their wages’ (see also M. Dutton, The Law of Masters and Servants in Ireland (Dublin, 1723), 48–72, for the state of the law before the Act of 1729 (3 Geo. II, c. 14 (Ir.)).

4 17 Geo. II, c. 8 (Ir.). This enacted that assemblies of three or more persons, not legally incorporated, meeting for the purpose of making by-laws, etc., respecting journeymen, apprentices, or servants, were unlawful.

5 19 and 20 Geo. III, c. 19 (Ir.). In this act all combinations among masters or journeymen were proclaimed ‘publick nuisances’, which ought to be suppressed.

6 I.e. Acts of 1824 (5 Geo. IV, c.95 (Ir.)) and 1825 (6 Geo. IV, c. 129 (Ir.)).

7 Maxwell, C., Dublin under the Georges 17 14–1830 (1936), 231.Google Scholar

8 Clarkson, J.D., Labour and Nationalism in Ireland (1925), 99.Google Scholar

9 , S. and Webb, B., The History of Trade Unionism (1920 edn.), 104.Google Scholar

10 Dublin Evening Post, 11 March 1824; 24 March, 6, 30 August 1825.

11 Cf.Dublin Evening Post, 24 March, 17 May, 21 July, 22 September 1825; 22 April 1826. These reports refer to incidents in which tradesmen attacked fellow workers who were unaffiliated to the ‘Body’. Cf. also Dublin Evening Post, 30 June 1825. Mr Butterworth, a leading clothing manufacturer, was attacked by his workmen because he introduced machinery into his factory; Dublin Evening Post, 28 July 1825, one ‘turn-out’ of coach builders employed, by a Mr Lond resulted in the Lord Mayor's coach being unfinished and thereby necessitated the importation of another coach from England to take its place in the Lord Mayor's procession.

12 J.D.Clarkson, Labour and Nationalism in Ireland, 61 ff.

13 Reports from the select committee appointed to inquire into the state of the law respecting artisans...and machinery, H.C. 1824 (51), v. Evidence of W. Hall, Esq., p.466; evidence of J. Houghton, Esq., p. 291. Second report from the select committee appointed to inquire into....combination of workmen, H.C. 1837–8 (646), VIII. Evidence of W. Fagan, Esq., qq. 3817—5225, Mr Morton, qq. 5900—6000, and T. Grimshaw, Esq., q. 3143. Cf. also J. J. Webb, Industrial Dublin since 1698 and the Silk Industry in Dublin (1913), 82–3.

14 Second report from the select committee appointed to inquire into...combination of workmen, H.C. 1837–8, VIII. Evidence of James Kavanagh, qq. 8000–8001.

15 Clarkson, J.D., Labour and Nationalism in Ireland (1925), 76.Google Scholar

16 Second report from the select committee appointed to inquire into...combinations of workmen, H.C. 1837–8, VIII. Evidence of T. Grimshaw, Esq., qq. 3139–3163.

17 Second report from the select committee appointed to inquire into....combinations of workmen, H.C. 1837–8, VIII. Evidence of P. D. Hardy, Esq., qq. 4346–4553; evidence of Thomas Daly, Esq., qq. 5517–5519.

18 Clarkson, J.D., Labour and Nationalism in Ireland (1925), 100.Google Scholar

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21 Clarkson, J.D., Labour and Nationalism in Ireland (1925), III ff.Google Scholar

22 Dublin Evening Post, 30 August, 19 September 1819.

23 Dublin Evening Post, 28 September 1824.

24 P.R.O. (Dublin), S.C.P. 5/2344/432. Charles Broke to Colonel Sorrell, 30 January 1822.

25 S.P.O. Ir., C.S.O.R.P., Outrage reports, cartons 1044, 6/6031 (1841), 1090, 6/13173, 6/16165 (1842), 1267, 6/7229 (1843).

26 S.P.O. Ir., C.S.O.R.P., Outrage reports, cartons 1044, 6/18261 (1841), 1090, 6/21179 (1842), 1267, 6/9899, 23713 (1843).

27 W. P. Ryan, The Irish Labour Movement, 87.

28 , S. and Webb, B., The History of Trade Unionism (1920), 104.Google Scholar

29 Clarkson, J.D., Labour and Nationalism in Ireland, 115.Google Scholar

30 Reports from the select committee appointed to inquire into the state of the law respecting artisans....and machinery, H.C. 1824 (51), V. Evidence of Michael Farrell, Esq., p. 292.

31 S.P.O. Ir., C.S.O.R.P., Outrage reports, carton 1044, 6/6031. 26 April 1841.

32 Owen Madden, D., Ireland and its Rulers since 1829 (1843–5), I, 195–6.Google Scholar

33 Freemans Journal, 5 November 1830.Google Scholar

34 Freemans Journal, November 1830–January 1831.Google Scholar

35 Dublin Evening Post, 30 November 1830.

36 Dublin Evening Post, 20 November 1830.

37 Freemans Journal, 29 December 1830.Google Scholar

38 Ibid. 7, 8 January 1831.

39 Ibid. 14 January 1831. ‘The Address of the Tradesmen of Dublin to their Brethren throughout Ireland.’

40 D., Owen Madden, Ireland and its Rulers since 1829 (1843–5), I, 195ff.Google Scholar

41 Ibid. 199.

42 Freemans Journal, 29 January 1831. Address of the Tradesmen of Dublin to the Honest and Industrious Classes in England.Google Scholar

43 Ibid. 15 November 1832.

44 Ibid. 30 June 1832.

45 The Repealer and Tradesman's Journal, 1, 6 June 1832. It appeared twice a week and cost yd. It was intended to survive on its circulation in the public houses but only lasted until December 1832.Google Scholar

46 The People, a weekly which cost yd. First issue, 9 February 1833. It lasted until 25 September 1833. Cf. B. Inglis, The Freedom of the Press in Ireland (1952), for an interesting section on radical newspapers (1832–5), 204–5.

47 McDowell, R.B., Public Opinion and Government Policy in Ireland, 1801–46 (1952), 135.Google Scholar

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49 Ibid. 135.

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51 Freemans Journa l, 7 November 1837. O'Connell, who was in many respects a most able lawyer, was much given to endorsing particular interpretations of the law in the strongest possible terms. Very often, however, his view of the law was determined rather by his view of what was politically expedient or desirable than by strictly legal considerations. Cf. J. Walsh, O'Connell, Archbishop Murray and the Board of Charitable Requests (Dublin, 1916), passim, for innumerable instances of this.Google Scholar

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54 Freemans Journal, 9 November 1837.Google Scholar

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56 Freemans Journal, 6 June, 14, 17, 21 August 1839. Cf. also B.M. Add. MSS. 34245. General Convention of the Industrious Classes, vol. B, 131 ff. for R. Lowery's account of the business.Google Scholar

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58 Fitzpatrick, W.J., Correspondence of Daniel O'Connell (1888), II, 222–3. D. O'Connell to James Martin, London, 4 February 1840.Google Scholar

59 Nation, 8 July 1843.Google Scholar

60 Freemans Journal, 28 August 1844.Google Scholar

61 The Guardian and Tradesman's Advocate, price id. A weekly literary and industrial journal, especially patronized by the Associated Trades of Dublin. Owned and edited by Cornelius R. Mahoney and published at the office, 26, Capel Street.

62 The Guardian and Tradesman's Advocate, 31 October 1846.

63 Ibid. 31 October, 5 December 1846.

64 Northern Star, 10 October 1846.Google Scholar

65 Doheny, M., The felon's track (Dublin, 1914), 113Google Scholar; Duffy, C.G., Young Ireland (Dublin, 1884), II, 106–9Google Scholar; R., Dudley Edwards and Williams, T.D., The Great Famine (Dublin, 1956), ch. III, 146–7.Google Scholar

66 Smith O'Brien Correspondence (Letter no. 1690), P. J. Barry to Smith O'Brien, 8 October 1846. These letters are kept in the National Library, Dublin.

67 Nation, I April 1848. ‘Address of the Irish and English Repealers of Manchester and surrounding Districts.’

68 P.R.O. (Dublin), C.S.O.U.P. (1848), carton 1523/105. ‘;The Answer of the Trades and Citizens of Dublin to the Address to English and Irish Repealers of Manchester and Surrounding Districts’; cf. also Police Reports of Confederate Clubs in Dublin (18 48–9), MS. S.3.8. Report of the Trades and Citizens Committee, 31 (21 April 1848).

69 P.R.O. (Dublin), C.S.O.U.P. (1848), carton 1523/105. ‘The Answer of the Trades and Citizens of Dublin.’

70 Police Reports of Confederate Clubs in Dublin (1848–9). (MS. S. 3. 7). Cf. reports of activities in the Swift Club by E.F., pp. 20, 25, 28, 46, 47, 52. Reports of the activities of the Garryowen Club, p. 6, 19 June 1848. It stated that no more than half a dozen of the regular members attended because the tradesmen were attending the quarterly meeting of the Trades.

71 Police Reports of Confederate Clubs in Dublin (1848–9), (MS. S. 3. 7), p. 14, 26 June 1848.

72 Ibid. (MS. S. 3. 7), p. 15, 27 June 1848.

73 Fogerty, L., James Fintan Lalor, Patriot and Political Essayist (1807–1849) (Dublin, 1918).Google Scholar

74 Duffy, G.C., Young Ireland (1884), 11, 277.Google Scholar