Traditional Irish Professions and Commercial Activity FAQs

Find in depth information about traditional Irish Professions and Commercial Activity

1. What areas of Irish commercial activity are being sought by the Museum for the collection?
2. Where can I find information about a specific business or shop?
3. Where can I find out more about traditional Irish professions and commercial activity?
4. Which of the professions are represented in the collection?

The Museum is most interested in collecting tobacco related objects; product packaging; objects relating to mills and milling; and mart and co-op related objects.

Though the Museum has a small quantity of shop ledgers, invoices and receipts, the National Archives of Ireland is the main repository of the paper-based resources used for such research.

The National Library of Ireland holds a large range of commercial and trades directories from the 20th Century, and an extensive collection of local histories.

Local histories of towns and counties are a useful source of information on commercial activities and shops operating in the area.

Thom’s Directory of Ireland (published annually) lists operating businesses with their addresses.

Publications

• W.H. Crawford (instruction by), Industries of the North, one hundred years ago: industrial and commercial life in the North of Ireland, 1888-91, Friar's Bush Press, Belfast, 1986.
• Eric G. Ayto, Clay Tobacco Pipes, Shire Publications, 1979.
• J.T. Graham, Scales and Balances, Shire Publications, 1981.
• W.A. Jackson, The Victorian Chemist and Druggist, Shire Publications, 1981.
• Richard Tames, The Victorian Public House, Shire Publications, 2003.
• Laura Mason, Sweets and Sweet Shops, Shire Publications, 1999.
• Roger Putman, Brewing and Breweries, Shire Publications, 2004.

There is a small collection of objects relating to dentistry and medicine, as well as some legal papers.