This monograph provides the first comprehensive analysis of industrial development in Ireland and its impact on Irish society between 1801-1922. Studies of Irish industrial history to date have been regionally focused or industry specific.

The book addresses this problem by bringing together the economic and social dimensions of Irish industrial history during the Union between Ireland and Great Britain. In this period, British economic and political influences on Ireland were all pervasive, particularly in the industrial sphere as a consequence of the British industrial revolution.

By making the Irish industrial story more relevant to a wider national and international audience and by adopting a more multi-disciplinary approach which challenges many of the received wisdoms derived from narrow regional or single industry studies - this book will be of interest to economic historians across the globe as well as all those interested in Irish history more generally.

Andy Bielenberg is Statutory Lecturer in Economic History at the National University of Ireland, Cork

This multi-disciplinary monograph provides the first comprehensive analysis of industrial development in Ireland and its impact on Irish society between 1801-1922.

Introduction Part One: The lead sector in the industrialization of Ulster 1. The evolution of the linen industry prior to mechanization: 1700-1825 2. Transition: The first generation of wet spinners 1825-1850 3. The high watermark of the Ulster linen and clothing industry 1850- 1914 Part Two: Southern comfort, the food and drink industries 4. Food processing 5. Drink and tobacco Part Three: Missing links? Engineering, shipbuilding and the dearth of mineral wealth 6. Mining, iron, engineering 7. Shipbuilding: an exception to the rule? Part Four: Construction and the Irish economy 8. The timber trade and the Irish building industry