Organised labour in Limerick City, 1810-1899

Abstract

This monograph identifies and describes the nineteenth century workers of Limerick who established and maintained societies, representing both individual occupational groups and multi-occupational alliances. The study defines the class identity of these organised workers, and the background and outlook of their local political opponents, describing popular political causes from the perspective of the organised workers. The nature of these organised labour societies, how they were formed and how they functioned, is examined in the context of similar societies in Ireland, Britain and beyond. The overall purpose of this thesis is to reveal how the urban Irish worker viewed the world around him.