New book puts ‘Aspects of Industrial Development’ in Tipperary into focus
A book titled ‘Aspects of Industrial Development’ by Denis G. Marnane, was launched at the Tipperary Excel recently.
Published by Tipperary Town Revitalisation, the book is in memory of the late Tom O’Halloran and is being sold for €10, with proceeds to Tipperary Community Services and St. Vincent’s Day Care Centre.
In the preface of the book, Dr. Marnane says that it is not a history of industrial development in Tipperary town and district.
“Each of the industries associated with the town, past and present, could have its own full-length study. Perhaps this brief discussion of ‘aspects’ of industrial development in the 20th century may prompt someone in search of a thesis topic, to examine at length one or more of these industries. The Co-Op has been the subject of a book but as ‘Aspects’ makes clear, there is a deal more to be told” says Dr. Marnane.
The book is divided into three parts.
Part One, which is titled ‘Killing Home Rule with Kindness’, looks at occupations in the town in 1911 and the nature of ‘industrial’ employment in 1911. It goes on to look at Butter and Gloves with Cleeve’s and the Co-Op creamery and Fownes glove manufacturing.
There is a photo of the Cleeve’s workers from the early 20th century along with an image of an early advertisement for Fownes Gloves.
Part Two of the book is titled ‘What the Free State Did Not Do’. This section looks at the broad background factors that underpinned economic decisions in the 1920’s and then discusses how Tipperary town was impacted.
“Tipperary town having been involved more than any other town in the county, and indeed more than most towns in the country in the revolutionary period, went through the 1920’s greatly disadvantaged. Various factors may be identified”.
This section has a photo of P.L. Ryan, who was Chairman of the Co-Op and also Chairman of Tipperary South Riding County Council, and detail on the Condensed Milk Company of Ireland, the Dairy Disposal Company and Tipperary Co-Op.
Part Three of the book is titled ‘A Debt Forgotten’. In the first part of this discussion about industrial and the lack thereof in Tipperary town, the bleak situation in the 1920’s was made clear. Here we read about Canon John Hayes (or Fr. Hayes as he was at that time) and the allotment scheme. The ages, occupations and circumstances of some members of the 4th Battalion, 3rd Tipperary Brigade, 1930’s are listed.
The section goes on the look at ‘A Change of Government’ in 1932 and the election of Dan Breen. The influence of Fr. Hayes is again evident here with a public meeting in January 1936, with Hayes stressing the need for the town to ‘sell itself’.
There is a photo of the opening of the Tipperary Glove Factory and Irish Floor Coverings in June 1936 with Minister Seán T. Lemass and a detailed section on Gloves, Milk and Good Days and Bad.
In that final section there is a look at some of the industries that came and went in the town including Tambrands, Atari and Mass Mutual.
The final section also has a photo of Tipperary town in the 1960’s and a copy of some advertisements for local companies.
The book is a very fine publication and is available at the Tipperary Excel and at a number of local outlets.