The Business Directory of Belfast For 1865: R. W. Wynne

Business Directory of Belfast and Principal Towns in the Province of Ulster for 1865-66.

(Published by R. W. Wynne – Late Wilkie & Co, Printed by J. Reed, 97 Victoria Street, Belfast, 1865.)

PREFACE
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In presenting, for the first time, a New Directory of Belfast, &c., W. & Co. have to tender their grateful acknowledgements for the liberal patronage that has been extended to them – and without which, such an arduous and expensive undertaking could not have been carried to a successful issue. In all parts of the Kingdom, Directories, when carefully compiled, are found of great utility to all classes. In collecting and compiling the information, no labour and expense have been spared that were calculated to enhance the value of the work, and promote its accuracy; it is, therefore, hoped, that but few errors will be found in the limits of the following closely-printed pages. The addresses of all Professions and Trades have been collected by personal inquiry at their place of business, and the matter so arranged, that any name, firm, or place, may be instantly referred to, with the aid of the Index. The information which precedes the Directory of each place, though necessarily concise, will be found sufficiently comprehensive for all useful purposes.

W. & Co. have, at the request of various merchants and tradesmen, added a few more places than was originally intended: which has been attended with considerable more expense, for which there is no extra charge, though it has caused some delay in the time of publication, they hope the work will be found much more complete and useful. The constant mutation of human affairs, requiring the occasional renewal of such books of reference, the publishers have pleasure in stating that Mr. R. W. Wynne, their late manager, to whom the business has been transferred, will issue another edition of this work for the year 1867, when an abridged Directory of Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow, will be added.

WILKIE & CO.

HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF LURGAN

Lurgan is a large and thriving market town in County Armagh, 20 miles from Belfast, on the Ulster Railway. The linen and cambric manufacturer is the staple trade of Lurgan, and employes a large number of persons in the production of a great variety of fabrics, damasks, diapers, and cambric handkerchiefs. The market is held on Thursday. Fairs, 5th August and 22nd Nov. Population in 1861, 7,766.
The Mechanics’ Institute is a handsome structure, situated at the corner of High street and Union street, opposite the principal entrance to the demesne of Lord Lurgan. It belongs, properly speaking, to no one distinct style of architecture, but approaches more nearly to the Romanesque than any other. Due regard has been had by the architect to the purposes for which the building is intended, and in the exterior ornament has been sparingly employed, but the general appearance is light and attractive, and the pleasing effect is much increased by a beautiful and lofty clock-tower, surmounted by a handsome weather-vane and rain-gauge.
The Institute is open every day (Sundays excepted) from 7 o’clock a.m. till 10 p.m. in summer; and from 8 a.m. till 10 p.m. in winter. The reading-room is well supplied with newspapers and periodicals. The library (containing nearly 1,500 volumes) is open on the evenings of Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from 7 till 9 o’clock. The lecture-room, a large semicircular apartment, is capable of comfortably accommodating 250 to 300 persons, and lighted from the roof by day through stained glass, and at night by a brilliant sun-light of forty-four jets. During the winter season, lectures are delivered monthly. A subscription of 5s per annum constitutes a member, and entitles him to the privileges of the news-room, lending library, and access to the lecturers free. A donation of £5 constitutes a life member. Donors of £10 have the privilege, for life, of nominating, from time to time, one member, being under the age of eighteen years, who shall be exempt from payment of any subscription; and donors of £25 have the like privilege of nominating two members, each under the age of eighteen years.

POST OFFICE – Arrivals-Dublin, 1.50 and 9.40 p.m.; Belfast, Antrim, Scotland, and Derry, 11.25 a.m. and 10.30 p.m.; Armagh, 9.40 p.m.; Derry, 11.25 a.m. and 9.40 p.m.
Despatches-To Belfast and Lisburn, 1.30 a.m. and 9.30 p.m.; Belfast and Scotland, 12 noon and 9.30 p.m.; Dublin and England, 1.15 p.m. and 9.30 p.m.; West of Ireland, 1.15 p.m. and 9.30 p.m.
Delivery-Dublin and England, 7 a.m. and 12.15 noon; Belfast, Derry and Armagh, 7 a.m. and 2.45 p.m.