Search Results for 'Theresa Rabbitt'

In the early fifties, Sisk’s (led by foreman Jack Lillis) built a factory ‘out the country’ on a two-and-a-half acres on Sandy Road. It was part of a 15-acre site and the state-of-the-art building would house an industry called Galway Textile Printers which would become known as ‘The Cotton Factory’ or even ‘The Cotton’. We already had a hat factory and a china factory in Galway, but this was industry on a new scale in here. They quickly became one of the biggest employers in the west of Ireland. A number of those who worked there were specialists who were brought in to help set up the factory, but most of the employees were local.

The expansion of the Woolworth chain in Ireland in the early 1950s proceeded smoothly except in one location, Galway. A number of city councillors, supported by some local retailers, were against bringing new business into town. Eventually, Woolworths purchased the site of the old Royal Hotel in the Square. The hotel was demolished and a new purpose built retail store constructed in its place. When Woolworths advertised for staff, more than 500 girls applied. Officials of the firm were very taken aback and it took several days to complete the interviews. The weekly wage offered to the girls, £4 7s 6d, was very good for the time. About 50 people were initially employed.