Armagh 1890s

[KVT]

Has anyone any links/information/ book recommendations that would help me find out what sort of industry was flourishing in Ulster in general and Armagh City in particular at the end of the 19th Century.

Is it correct to assume that people migrated north from other parts of Ireland in the hope of finding work?

Are there available any kind of social histories for Armagh during these years ?

KVT

[samanthac]

Can I suggest you contact Roddy Hegarty at the museum in Armagh, he is very interested in the history of the area.

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[KVT]

Thanks Samanthac - will do.

KVT

[samanthac]

Just to add, I know a lot of Armagh was apple orchards, I think the quakers owned a fair bit of land.  Also I know there was a lot of linen trade, the mills rented out spinners to people and people grew their own cotton to spin.

[aghadowey]

Also I know there was a lot of linen trade, the mills rented out spinners to people and people grew their own cotton to spin.

Flax, actually. Think you'll find that cotton needs a warmer climate (such as the American South, etc.)
http://www.kew.org/plant-cultures/plants/cotton_grow_it.html

[Ken Austin]

I think the biggest industry in Armagh during this time was the Linen Industry and as Aghadowey rightly says, Flax was big business for the farming communities.

I'm not sure if your question concerns why people migrated to the North of Ireland at this time. If so, one explanation could be to do with the Land Wars of the 1870's – 1890's. There was much unrest at this time with the Irish National Land League fighting for the rights of tenant farmers to get a better deal from Land Owners. The first boycott came into use at this time and many families were ostracised and shunned by their communities. This was not the case in Ulster however as they had  what was known as the 'Ulster Custom',  an informal extra-legal business practise designed to attract busier and richer tenants. This could be why many Irish families moved north at this time.

You can find more information on the subject here: http://www.lurganancestry.com/landwar.htm

Hope this was of use.

Best Wishes ~ Ken Austin