Directories set out to record the ‘principal inhabitants’ of a community, particularly those in trade or the professions. Directories were put together by individuals and publishers for commercial purposes at intervals during the late 18th and 19th centuries. Here is the 1931 Trade Directory, exclusive to From-Ireland.net:
Name | Address | Occupation | Town |
---|---|---|---|
Gloden J. | Abbeyleix | Coal Merchants | Abbeyleix |
Cole & Co. | At E. J. Morrissey's, Main st. | Dentist | Abbeyleix |
Mahony T. & Son | At Mssrs Wilde Bros. | Carpenters | Abbeyleix |
Drury James | Ballinakill | Victuallers | Abbeyleix |
Deegan Edward | Ballinakill Rd. | Tailors | Abbeyleix |
Deegan Fintan | Ballinakill Rd. | Tailors | Abbeyleix |
Dooley H. | Ballinakill Rd. | Cycle Agents | Abbeyleix |
Hughes James | Ballinakill Rd. | Monumental Works | Abbeyleix |
Kennedy Annie | Ballinakill Rd. | Milliners & Dressmakers | Abbeyleix |
Lalor Fanny | Ballinakill Rd. | Milliners & Dressmakers | Abbeyleix |
O'Reilly J. | Ballinakill Rd. | Bakers | Abbeyleix |
O'Reilly John | Ballinakill Rd. | Tobacconists | Abbeyleix |
Thornton E. J. | Ballinakill Rd. | Bakers | Abbeyleix |
Thornton Edward | Ballinakill Rd. | Tobacconists | Abbeyleix |
Willoughby H. & Son | Ballinakill Rd. | Watchmakers & Jewellers | Abbeyleix |
Harte G. | Black Hill | Builder & Contractor | Abbeyleix |
Kelly T. | Bluegate | Carpenters | Abbeyleix |
Quinn John | C/o Mssrs Quinn Bros, Main st | Carpenters | Abbeyleix |
Phelan Fintan | Corner House | Wine & Spirit Merchants | Abbeyleix |
Phelan William | Corner House | Grocers, Wine & Spirit Merchants | Abbeyleix |
Phelan William | Corner House | Licensed Premises | Abbeyleix |
Grey Thomas, M.B. | Drimaterrill House | Physicians & Surgeons | Abbeyleix |
Rolleston Alured (sic) | Heath Cottage | Solicitors | Abbeyleix |
Morrissey M., Mrs. | Hotel | Bootmakers & Warehouses | Abbeyleix |
Kelly Maurice & John | Kelly's Cross | Carpenters | Abbeyleix |
Fennelly M. A. | Leinster House | Bootmakers & Warehouses | Abbeyleix |
Fennelly M. A. | Leinster House | Milliners & Dressmakers | Abbeyleix |
Fennelly P. | Leinster House | Drapers | Abbeyleix |
Lalor B. | Lower Main st | Fish Merchant | Abbeyleix |
Lalor Bridget, Mrs. | Lower Main st | Fruiterers & Green-grocers | Abbeyleix |
Abbeyleix Motor Co. | Main St. | Motor Engineers & Garages | Abbeyleix |
Armour J. | Main St. | Grocers, Wine & Spirit Merchants | Abbeyleix |
Baggot J. | Main St. | Bakers | Abbeyleix |
Baggot J. | Main St. | China & Glass Dealers | Abbeyleix |
Baggot J. | Main St. | Coal Merchants | Abbeyleix |
Baggot John | Main St. | Grocers, Wine & Spirit Merchants | Abbeyleix |
Baggot John | Main St. | Hardware Merchants & Ironmongers | Abbeyleix |
Baggot John | Main St. | Seedsmen | Abbeyleix |
Baggot John | Main St. | Tobacconists | Abbeyleix |
Comyns William | Main St. | Watchmakers & Jewellers | Abbeyleix |
Corrigan S. G. | Main St. | Bakers | Abbeyleix |
Corrigan S. G. | Main St. | Grocers, Wine & Spirit Merchants | Abbeyleix |
Corrigan S. G. | Main St. | Hardware Merchants & Ironmongers | Abbeyleix |
Cuddy Patrick | Main St. | Grocers, Wine & Spirit Merchants | Abbeyleix |
Cuddy Patrick | Main St. | Tobacconists | Abbeyleix |
De Vesci Arms Hotel | Main St. | Hotels | Abbeyleix |
Delaney William | Main St. | Drapers | Abbeyleix |
Dermody J. (of Cork) c/o E. J. Morrissey | Main St. | Butter & Egg Merchants | Abbeyleix |
Fitzsimons C. O'Connell | Main St. | Solicitors | Abbeyleix |
Gorman William | Main St. | Victuallers | Abbeyleix |
In Ireland, many of the towns had a square, and around the square were houses (homes) with one or two shops or business’s. The streets of the town all went from that square. Most towns had a ‘Main street’ – some called it a High street, and it was usually on that main street that the majority of shops and businesses were located. Shops had one or two large windows depending on the size of the shop. Many Public houses had a grocery section. You walked in the door and the grocery section was at the front of the shop with the pub at the back – usually a wooden division separating both. The Grocer or Publican may have had a field or more behind the building, cows were milked and the milk was sold to those who would bring in their ‘Jimmy’ cans. Most business men/people had more than one occupation. The Publican as described above was also the Grocer and if he sold milk then he could also be described as a Dairy man. As you go through this list of names you will see that many.