The Coombe, Dublin
Encyclopedia
The Coombe is a historic street in the south inner city of Dublin, Ireland
. It was originally a hollow or valley from where the river Poddle
ran to the sea.
, Spitalfields and Weavers' Square.
However, English woolen manufacturers felt threatened by the Irish industry, and heavy duties were imposed on Irish wool exports. The Navigation Act was passed to prevent the Irish from exporting to the whole colonial market, then in 1699 the English government passed the Wool Act which prevented export to any country whatsoever, which effectively put an end to the industry in the Liberties. Later in the following century a revival took place by importing Spanish wool into Ireland, which was helped from 1775 by the Royal Dublin Society
, but the events of 1798 and 1803, in which many weavers took part, and the economic decline that set in after the Act of Union
, prevented any further growth in this industry in the Liberties.
A weavers' hall was built by the Weavers' Guild in the Lower Coombe in 1682 and by 1745, when the building of a new hall was required, it was a Huguenot, David Digges La Touche, who advanced the £200 needed. The silk and poplin
industries grew successfully in the first half of the 18th century. However, these industries, which were supported by the Royal Dublin Society
, were almost ruined by an act passed by the English government, which prevented the society from supporting any house where Irish silk goods were sold. When war was declared against France and raw materials were difficult to obtain, the silk weavers suffered greatly.
The Tenter House was erected just off the Coombe in 1815 in Cork Street, financed by Thomas Pleasants
. Before this the poor weavers of the Coombe had either to suspend work in rainy weather or use the alehouse fire and thus were (as Wright expresses it) "exposed to great distress, and not infrequently reduced either to the hospital or the gaol."
parish, St. Luke's, for the area. In conformity with the act, a Glebe House Was erected on the Coombe for the Vicar and the church of St. Luke
was built just off the Coombe. Over the next few years new parish buildings including a school, an alms house and a widows' house, were built along the Coombe to provide for the increasing population.
in the Coombe. In 1774 it became the County Dublin Infirmary and in 1822 the patients were transferred to the new Meath Hospital at Long Lane. A few years later Mrs. Margaret Boyle founded the Coombe Lying-In Hospital
in the vacated building. The Guinness family became benefactors and built a dispensary block. In 1967 the hospital was relocated to new premises in Cork St. The old building was demolished to make way for a Dublin Corporation housing development, retaining the portico.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It was originally a hollow or valley from where the river Poddle
River Poddle
The River Poddle , is one of the best known of the more than a hundred watercourses of Dublin. It is the source of the name "Dublin", the city being named after a pool that was once on its course...
ran to the sea.
History
In the late 17th century development started in order to house the weavers who were moving into the area. Woolen manufacture was set up by settlers from England, while many Huguenots took up silk weaving, using skills they had acquired in their home country, France. They constructed their own traditional style of house, Dutch Billies, with gables that faced the street. Thousands of weavers became employed in the Coombe, PimlicoPimlico, Dublin
Pimlico is an inner city area of Dublin, Ireland on the southside in Dublin 8. It is located between Thomas Court and Ardee Street. At the Thomas Court end of Pimlico is Pimlico Cottage. It is close to the St...
, Spitalfields and Weavers' Square.
However, English woolen manufacturers felt threatened by the Irish industry, and heavy duties were imposed on Irish wool exports. The Navigation Act was passed to prevent the Irish from exporting to the whole colonial market, then in 1699 the English government passed the Wool Act which prevented export to any country whatsoever, which effectively put an end to the industry in the Liberties. Later in the following century a revival took place by importing Spanish wool into Ireland, which was helped from 1775 by the Royal Dublin Society
Royal Dublin Society
The Royal Dublin Society was founded on 25 June 1731 to "to promote and develop agriculture, arts, industry, and science in Ireland". The RDS is synonymous with its main premises in Ballsbridge in Dublin, Ireland...
, but the events of 1798 and 1803, in which many weavers took part, and the economic decline that set in after the Act of Union
Act of Union 1800
The Acts of Union 1800 describe two complementary Acts, namely:* the Union with Ireland Act 1800 , an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, and...
, prevented any further growth in this industry in the Liberties.
A weavers' hall was built by the Weavers' Guild in the Lower Coombe in 1682 and by 1745, when the building of a new hall was required, it was a Huguenot, David Digges La Touche, who advanced the £200 needed. The silk and poplin
Poplin
Poplin, also called tabinet , is a strong fabric in a plain weave of any fiber or blend, with crosswise ribs that typically gives a corded surface.Poplin traditionally consisted of a silk warp with a weft of worsted yarn...
industries grew successfully in the first half of the 18th century. However, these industries, which were supported by the Royal Dublin Society
Royal Dublin Society
The Royal Dublin Society was founded on 25 June 1731 to "to promote and develop agriculture, arts, industry, and science in Ireland". The RDS is synonymous with its main premises in Ballsbridge in Dublin, Ireland...
, were almost ruined by an act passed by the English government, which prevented the society from supporting any house where Irish silk goods were sold. When war was declared against France and raw materials were difficult to obtain, the silk weavers suffered greatly.
The Tenter House was erected just off the Coombe in 1815 in Cork Street, financed by Thomas Pleasants
Thomas Pleasants
Thomas Pleasants was a notable merchant, property developer and philanthropist in Dublin, Ireland, after whom Pleasants Street in Dublin is named.-Life:...
. Before this the poor weavers of the Coombe had either to suspend work in rainy weather or use the alehouse fire and thus were (as Wright expresses it) "exposed to great distress, and not infrequently reduced either to the hospital or the gaol."
Parishes
In the year 1708, an act of parliament was passed setting up a new Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
parish, St. Luke's, for the area. In conformity with the act, a Glebe House Was erected on the Coombe for the Vicar and the church of St. Luke
St. Luke's Church, Dublin
St. Luke's Church is a former Church of Ireland parish church in Dublin, Ireland. It is located on The Coombe, not far from St. Patrick's Cathedral.-The church:...
was built just off the Coombe. Over the next few years new parish buildings including a school, an alms house and a widows' house, were built along the Coombe to provide for the increasing population.
Coombe Women's Hospital
On 10 October 1770 Lord Brabazon laid the foundation stone of the new Meath HospitalMeath Hospital
The Meath Hospital in Dublin, Ireland was founded in 1753. Situated in the Earl of Meath's Liberty, the hospital was opened to serve the sick and poor in the crowded area of the Liberties in Dublin....
in the Coombe. In 1774 it became the County Dublin Infirmary and in 1822 the patients were transferred to the new Meath Hospital at Long Lane. A few years later Mrs. Margaret Boyle founded the Coombe Lying-In Hospital
Coombe Women's Hospital
The Coombe Women's Hospital is a hospital providing a range of medical services to both women and infants founded in 1826 by Mrs. Margaret Boyle in Dublin, Ireland.-Names:...
in the vacated building. The Guinness family became benefactors and built a dispensary block. In 1967 the hospital was relocated to new premises in Cork St. The old building was demolished to make way for a Dublin Corporation housing development, retaining the portico.