On the evening of 11 March 2025, Stratford-on-Slaney Community Hall was the venue for a well-attended event which focused on the village’s history. In her informative presentation, Sarah Gillespie discussed the founding of the village and its linen and cotton printing mill in 1774 by the Hon. Edward Stratford (Earl of Aldborough from 1777). Aldborough conceived the idea of creating an entire manufacturing town to be named after his family. The chosen location was close to a water source ( the river Slaney) and the main road to/from Dublin city and its port. The English town of Bath in England was the inspiration for the layout of Stratford-on-Slaney.
Aldborough did not control the extensive printing works himself – it was run by Smith, Orrs & Co. for several years and Mr. Orr himself from 1795 onwards. In 1837 the parish comprised 2,833 inhabitants with 952 residing in the town. Between 800 and 1,000 persons were employed in the factory and as late as 1835 a weekly output of 2,000 printed pieces was reported. However this substantial enterprise was closed about 1850.
Following Sarah’s talk, various local people made contributions and asked questions. Kate Lyons brought a small box containing ‘poplin’ which came form the printing mill. Dermot Phelan shared a framed fragment of calico, which is the only known original surviving example of printed fabric associated with the factory. WWHS Chairperson Paul Gorry circulated a bibliography of sources on the history of the village.
Photo: Image of the fragment of printed calico associated with the linen and cotton printing mill which operated in Stratford-on-Slaney from c.1774 to 1850.