The
forthcoming book, ‘Ringsend’s Molten Heritage: Sand, Fire and Tide’
is far more than a history of glassmaking—it’s a rollicking tale of ambition,
intrigue, invention, and survival on the banks of Dublin Bay. From the first
furnaces lit in 1797 to the final, heartbreaking closure of the Irish Glass
Bottle Company in 2002, this captivating story follows the families,
entrepreneurs, visionaries, and rogues who shaped Ringsend’s industrial legacy.
Meet larger-than-life
characters such as Crean, Atkinson, Reverend Prior, Donovan, and the Littles,
whose fortunes rose and fell amid fierce competition, whispered deals,
spectacular successes, and crushing betrayals. Packed with shenanigans,
underhanded manoeuvres, forced bankruptcies, industrial innovation, and
hard-earned prosperity, the book reveals how sand, fire, and tide combined to
create one of Ireland’s most remarkable manufacturing traditions.
Glassmaking flourished in Ringsend because the area had ready access to the raw materials and transport links needed to produce high-quality bottles. There was an abundant supply of sand, easy coal deliveries after the opening of the Grand Canal Basin in 1796 which also aided exports and access to nearby salt works and lime quarries
Rich in local colour and human drama, Ringsend’s Molten Heritage is a story of industry and
community, of wealth won and lost, and of a proud workforce whose skill
transformed molten glass into a symbol of Irish craftsmanship for more than two
centuries. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of Dublin stories, or
simply enjoy a good tale of triumph and treachery, this book shines a
fascinating light on a forgotten world.
Until the book hits the book shelves, here's a brief timeline of Glass Making in Ringsend.
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