The silk merchant Richard Atkinson built a hugely successful poplin business in The Liberties in the early 19thC and the business continues to the present.
08.05.26
Richard Atkinson was the pioneer in the development of Irish Poplin – a fabric made by combining wool with silk. In 1820 he converted what was then a cottage industry into a factory based endeavour. This secured employment and much improved living and working conditions and also served to establish one of Ireland’s best known industries and exports.
Selling through his shop in College Green, he built a following for Atkinsons Poplin at home and abroad, and Atkinson Royal Irish Poplin is a business that continues to thrive today and is known for its high quality ties and neckware.
Recognised as a generous philanthropist, Atkinson also served twice as Lord Mayor of Dublin and his portrait in full regalia hangs proudly in the current Atkinson’s boardroom. In 1867, to mark his second stint as Lord Mayor, Atkinson founded the Asylum for Aged Females at 21 New Street South.
A contemporary account noted:
the asylum is very well managed; the house is at 21 New Street, and is for the reception of “Widows or Single Women” of the age of 60 or upwards, who shall have, or be guaranteed in writing, a weekly income of not less than six shillings during residence in the Asylum, etc.; the endowment for this Asylum is fairly considerable, most of which is invested in Railway Debenture Stock; the Trustees of this Asylum are the ground landlords of Griffith Barracks, late Wellington Barracks, from which an income of £64 19s. 10d. is derived annually.
The building remains to this day. The Buildings of Ireland website notes:
This well-built house is the last remaining intact nineteenth century building on New Street South. It was recently conserved by Dublin City Council and retains much of its historic materials, of particular note is the carved granite and timber doorcase. It originally functioned as an ‘Asylum for Aged Females’, commemorated by the inscription over the door. It was founded by Richard Atkinson, a silk merchant, to commemorate his year as Lord Mayor of Dublin.
In 2018 the house at 21 New Street South was converted into social housing as part of a larger development of the site by Peter McVerry Trust.
