This article will give a year in review of life in Limerick in 1786. Touching on births, wedding, death and interesting events in between.
The highlight of the Limerick calendar in 1786 was the Crosbie hot air balloon flight across the city. You can read about this event on the Richard Crosbie and his 1786 Hot Air Balloon Flight page. While local artist Timothy Collopy exhibited his works in London that year.
1786 in Marriage
When we speak of weddings, the Limerick Chronicle of 13 February 1786 took note of two women by the name of White (different families) who married that week:
Married. Last Thursday, Mr. William O’Brien, merchant, to Miss White, daughter of the late Mr. William White John, merchant, a most agreeable young lady with a fortune of 1500l. – Yesterday, Mr. John Taylor, brewer, to Miss White, daughter to the late Mr. William White William, linen draper, a very amiable young lady, possessed of every qualification to render the marriage state happy. (John Taylor died in 1815)
Limerick Chronicle, 13 February 1786
It is interesting to note that nighter of these women were afforded first names in the press.
While marriages that took place in St Mary’s Cathedral that year did include the names of both spouses. Among those who married in the Cathedral that year were
Pat Healy and Bridget Stanners – 20 Jan 1786
Henry Dickson and Catherine Elliget – 31 May 1786
George Russell and Margaret Crowe – 3 Jun 1786
Thomas Vincent and Elizabeth Unthank – 26 Aug 1786
John Downes and Margaret Harrison – 14 Sep 1786
Ireland Marriages, 1619-1898, FamilySearch
Not all was rosy in marriages in Limerick that year, as Daniel Ryan posted the following notice in the Limerick Chronicle:
Whereas Mary Ryan alias Dorly my wife has eloped with John Fleming of …, who keeps her publicly in his house, and robbed me of some notes and all my worldly substance. I caution the Publick against taking said notes, and the drawer of them to pay me and I will indemnifie them, and I will not pay any debts contracted by said Mary Ryan.
Jan 23 1786. Daniel Ryan
Limerick Chronicle, 23 January 1786.
1786 in Business
The famous Limerick Gloves were at their prime, with notices being placed in the Sanders’s News-Letter warning people against buying counterfeit or fake gloves passing as Limerick gloves.
It was also the year Joseph Massey Harvey moved to Limerick from Cork and set up his business. We still see the remnants of his life in Limerick with the naming of Harvey’s Quay.
In the first month of 1786, opened a haberdashery opposite Creagh Lane, in English Town. She placed a notice in the Limerick Chronicle, 23 Jan 1786 issuing her “sincere thanks to her friends and the public, for the great share of their friendship since the commenced business”. She stocked “Fashionable assortments of haberdashery and millinery goods”.
Thomas Goggin, a watch and clockmaker in the city, placed a notice under his usual advert in the Limerick Chronicle, on 15 May 1786 looking for “an apprentice wanted, a boy of good character, will be taken on reasonable terms.”
1786 in Housing
The location of housing was often noted by the owner or by its proximity to other buildings. This advert for a house shows:
To be let immediately, or the interest to be sold, by David Hastings, the Large New House in Dominick Street, where the Widow Massy lately lived, with every convenient office, the whole in excellent repair.
Limerick Chronicle, 15 May 1786
While another house was described as follows:
A large front and back house in English-town, wherein bankrupts lately dwelt, held by lease for a term of years, about 6 years yet unexpired, with a clause for renewal at 40l. per year.
Limerick Chronicle, 20 November 1786
1786 in Death
One of those who died that year was Edward Kiely, on 28 April 1786. He was buried in St Michael’s Graveyard off Michael Street, this graveyard is no longer in use.
The Limerick Chronicle of 22 June 1786 reported two deaths:
Died. Last Monday night, Mrs Taverner relict of Mr Jacob Taverner, one of the Society of Quakers. – Yesterday in an advanced age, Mr Patrick Plunket, formerly an eminent woollen draper in this city; his death is much regretted by his friends and acquaintances as he was a pleasing companion and honest man.
Limerick Chronicle, 22 June 1786
