Brickmaking in Gillen

Abstract

Of the four references to the brick trade in Ireland known to the writer, three are concerned with the Midlands. The first is as follows:

Bricks are abundant and very cheap. Excellent clay for making them is found on the banks of the Shannon two miles below the town (Athlone), and also turf for burning them. Ten shillings or twelve shillings per thousand was an ordinary price; but it fluctuates from eight shillings to fifteen shillings.

The district south of Athlone mentioned above is that of Carricknaughton, where brickmaking was carried on well into the present century. Interestingly the price of bricks in Gillen around the turn of the century, and for some years afterwards, was still ten shillings per thousand.