INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN BELFAST

The northeast of Ulster was the only part of Ireland that experienced the Industrial Revolution. By 1901, Belfast had become one of the most important industrial centres in Britain.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN BELFAST Ulster was an unlikely success story because it had many problems: – Lack of materials – Lack of energy supplies – Declining domestic markets due to poverty and famine – Political uncertainty

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN BELFAST Why was Ulster successful? The idea of the ‘Protestant work ethic’ was the belief that Protestants were more hard working than Catholics (Weber Thesis). It is not generally accepted. Reasons for success of industry: – Enterprise – Free trade – Between Britain and Ireland and Britain & the rest of the Empire. – Investment – Labour supply – Move from the country to towns and cities & cheaper wages than the rest of Britain. – Strong Ulster identity – A need to prove themselves.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN BELFAST THE LINEN INDUSTRY It was a cottage industry until 1820s when it moved into factories with steam powered machines. The factories were located in the Lagan Valley where coal was imported (Linen Triangle – Belfast, Newry and Dungannon). Linen was viewed as a luxury item and exported across the Empire. By the 1890s there were nearly 200 linen factories, with the largest employing 4,000 workers. It was important because: Biggest single employer with 90,000 jobs. Railroads were built for deliveries. Trade increased in the shipyards and this led to ship building. Flax was taken from local farms. Engineering industry grew to create machinery. Profits were invested in the region.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN BELFAST Despite Ireland being and island, they had not developed shipping. The expansion of the shipping industry in the 1830s and 1840s led to Belfast port becoming busier. Victoria harbour was deepened and this allowed increased trade and also shipbuilding. Edward Harland and Gustav Wolff were engineers who founded the famous Harland and Wolff shipyard. This coincided with a revolution in sea transport – steam- powered and iron ships which were larger and faster and expensive to build. The company designed flat- bottomed ships, which were twice the length of sailing ships and could carry a much larger cargo.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN BELFAST Harland and Wolff became involved in Trans-Atlantic shipping through the White Star Line company. The company occupied 80 acres of land and employed 10,000 men. The company is famous for building the Titanic, which was launched in 1912 and sank on its maiden voyage.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN BELFAST IMPACT ON BELFAST: – 190 linen manufactures – 33 architecture firms – 32 civil engineering companies – 17 publishers – 24 building contractors – 16 ship brokers – 4 weapons manufactures – 3 banking firms.