I saved this about Dumbarton:
"The Dumbarton concern was the largest glassworks in Scotland…..
The extant records of the Dumbarton Glass Work Company, which was in existence from 1777 to 1850, with the exception of six years between I832 and I838, provide an almost unique insight into a business which was during the first three decades of the nineteenth century the largest concern of its type in Scotland and probably the pre-eminent glass undertaking in Britain.
…..Dixon family who, by 1816, had established beyond all doubt their control which was to last until 1832. From 1838 until 1850 the company was owned by James Christie, ironmaster and partner in the Calder Iron Works, but it never regained its economic leadership and when it ultimately closed
1850 the undertaking was a mere shadow of its former self.
http://www.dumbarton-online.com/glass.htm - details about manufacture.
In 1831 : 300 men employed at £1.00 Per Week"
Skilled glass workers moved around a lot. I think my ggrandfather moved to Glasgow because the business in Dumbarton failed, but why he went to Dublin in 1870 I don't know.
I read that there is lots of sand in Ringsend, it's also by the docks and bottles were exported from there, but apart from the possible connection with Guinness (according to my uncle) I haven't found any info.
- Alison
