Lost records of Limerick Clothing Factory found in former worker's attic

GENERATIONS of Limerick people worked at the Limerick Clothing Factory on Lord Edward Street from the 1850s through to the 1970s, and records of the building were thought to have been lost, until now.

Former worker at the factory, Charlie Greene kept records of the building's history safe, stored in his attic in Limerick.
The industrial history of the transformation of the site into a housing development by Limerick City and County Council was originally preserved but many of the key archives were believed to have been lost.

Discovered by family friend Mike O’Shea these lost records date back to the mid-nineteenth century and are a vital part of the city's history.

Charlie is said to have worked his way up from floor staff to management of the factory. During these decades the company was sold again and again and the records were lost along the way, or so it was believed.

When the factory closed its doors in 1974, Charlie had the foresight to retain some of the books from his old employers, storing them safely in his attic. He continued in the clothing trade becoming a founding member of Shannon Clothing Ltd. Following his death in 1981, his wife Kaye kept them safe until she passed away thirty-three years later.

The archive holds minute books detailing not only the day to day running of the factory but changes in shareholders and order letters from places as far away as Egypt.
To showcase the discovery of this archive an exhibition is being hosted by Limerick Archives service in the People’s Museum, Pery Square from May 5 to May 26, and digital records will be available later this year.