gunmakers in dublin

[dermo]

My great grandfather Andrew O'Brien and his brother Robert were gunmakers in Dublin in the 19th century.  Can anyone with copies of Thom's find any reference to them?  They lived in the Harold's Cross, Ranelagh, South Circular Road areas at various times.  Any help would be appreciated.

[shanew147]

do you have approximate years or any specific addresses ?

it helps the search a great deal to have a starting point - as not everyone is in the index in the directories


Shane

[shanew147]

On the 1901 Census there's a Robert O'Brien (age 72), retired gunmaker listed on Oakley Road, Ranelagh.

So possibly in business from the 1850s onward.. does that sound right ?


Shane

[dermo]

Shane

Thanks for the interest.  Andrew died at 16 Upper Camden St in 1881, aged 62 and I think he may have lived on Harold's Cross Road earlier.  His brother Robert lived at 41 Oakley Road (formerly known as 41 Cullenswood Avenue) in Ranelagh.  He died there in 1903 aged 74.  He is the man you found in the 1901 census. 
In a copy of Thom's Directory for 1861 that  I found online, I came across a Patrick O'Brien, gunmaker, of 11 Charlemont St Upr.  Whether he is a relation or not I haver no idea.  That directory also had an Andrew O'Brien living at 5 Harold's Cross Road who might be my great grandfather though no profession is listed.  The address fits with some other family information I have.

Regards

[shanew147]

Thom's 1894 - no O'Brien gunmakers listed in the trades index.
    11 Charlemont street is Joseph Peake, slater and general
contractor

Thom's 1884 - no O'Brien gunmakers listed in the trades index.
  (same details for 11 Charlemont street as 1894)

Thom's 1879

  Robert O'Brien, 11 Charlemont St   (Trades Index under  Gunmakers)

  No sign of a listing for Andrew, or a number 16 Upr Camden Street (the numbers jump from 13 to 17)

Thom's 1872
  same details for Robert as for 1879

 Number 11 is Charlemont St listed as a single building between junction between Camden st and Elm Cottages and Charlemont Row.

 No. 16 Upr. Camden Street is listed as Tenements... so no details of occupants included.

In 1863 there's the same listing for Robert, and also a listing in the index for a Mr. Andrew O'Brien at 5 Harolds Cross Rd (no occupation given). In the street listing for Harold Cross he is listed as a gunmaker.

In 1852 there's an Andrew O'Brien, gunmaker at Harold's cross Rd

There's no O'Brien gunsmiths or gunmakers listed in the 1848 edition.


Shane

[dermo]

Shane

Thanks so much for the trouble you have taken.  The references you found are most interesting.  The Andrew of Harold's Cross looks very like my great grandfather.  Whether Robert at Charlemont St and Patrick at that address before him are related remains to be seen though the odds must favour it.  At the very least it means the address is worth pursuing.  Thanks again for your help.

Dermo

[shanew147]

I'll keep an eye out for any other details - residences etc


Shane

[dermo]

Shane

I would appreciate that.  Thanks again

Dermo

[Quaxer]

Dermo

From my source work on the Irish Times newspaper 1859-1901 I have recorded the following:
On 11/3/1874 on Page there is a reference to Mr P.O'Brien as a prizewinner at No.11 Charlemont Street
At No.41 Oakley Road
      On 2/2/1884 Page 1 (Deaths) William J O'Brien
       On 13/8/1894 Page 1 (Marriage) Thomas Alphonsus (son of Robert O'Brien
        On 10/1/1896 Page 1 (Death) Alicia (wife of Robert O'Brien

Regards     Quaxer                  (due credit to Shane)