Ulster

Ulster was particularly well known for its cotton industry. However it failed to keep up with the trend towards steam weaving, and hence this industry declined in the mid 18th century. Wet-spinning of flax and mass production of linen were successful though, and so Ulster also played a part in producing these.

In the 19th century, Ulster became ‘the most prosperous province in Ireland’. Belfast itself took over from Dublin as the largest city on the island and became famous for ship building, most famously the building of the RMS Titanic.

There was so much competition in the cotton industry that weavers’ wages dropped significantly, and over half of the families in Ulster fell into the ‘poorest category’. Then, of course, the potato famine also had a terrible effect on the area, with about 200,000 people dying, and the same number emigrating.