This collection illustrates everyday commercial activity in Ireland. It concentrates mainly on the Irish shop and public house.

The collection incorporates tobacco related objects, for example pipes, cutters, and snuffers.

It also includes several hundred clay pipes and a small collection of wooden smoking pipes. Product packaging and advertisements are also actively collected.

Further Reading

Local histories of towns and counties are a useful source of information on commercial activities and shops operating in the area.

Thom’s Directory of Ireland (published annually) lists operating businesses with their addresses.

Publications

W.H. Crawford (instruction by), Industries of the North, one hundred years ago: industrial and commercial life in the North of Ireland, 1888-91, Friar's Bush Press, Belfast, 1986.

Eric G. Ayto, Clay Tobacco Pipes, Shire Publications, 1979.

J.T. Graham, Scales and Balances, Shire Publications, 1981.

W.A. Jackson, The Victorian Chemist and Druggist, Shire Publications, 1981.

Richard Tames, The Victorian Public House, Shire Publications, 2003.

Laura Mason, Sweets and Sweet Shops, Shire Publications, 1999.

Roger Putman, Brewing and Breweries, Shire Publications, 2004.