Dublin

In the 18th century, Dublin was a wealthy city, although many of its inhabitants were poor. Manufacturing included the brewing of ‘Guinness’ in 1759, and coach making was also carried out.

During the second half of the 18th century, Dublin developed greatly with the construction of many municipal buildings, for example the Royal Exchange and a new Customs House — Dublin was an important sea-port — and measures were taken to improve conditions in the streets.

Between 1700 and 1800 the population tripled to 180,000. However, the potato famine in the mid 1840s affected Ireland badly and many starving peasants moved into Dublin where soup kitchens were set up to feed them. In just a few years the population of Ireland had decreased by several million. It is thought that half had emigrated to towns and cities in England or America, and the other half had died.