Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
| Mungret St, Limerick | O'Mara's logos and ads |
O'Mara's bacon company, the source of generations of O'Mara family wealth.
James moved some time in 1856-1862 to
Roches St, centre of new town, Limerick.
A dedicated factory
was set up
near top of Roches St.
The business is listed as "James O'Mara", "provision merchant", Roches St,
in [Directory of Cork & Munster, 1867].
James and his sons
Stephen O'Mara
and
Jack O'Mara
built up the business over the 19th century
into a great success.
Jim O'Mara
was agent for O'Mara's in London
from at least 1886
until he died 1893.
Jack O'Mara
went to Russia to organise O'Maras setting up the
Russian Bacon Company
in 1891.
Jack stayed in Russia for several years.
From 1891 to 1903,
O'Maras
imported bacon from the
Russian Bacon Company, Gryazi, Russia,
into London.
James O'Mara
was agent for O'Mara's in London
from 1893 to 1914.
[Modern Ireland, 1899]
describes
Stephen O'Mara
as then head of
the company,
says "nearly 100" people then employed at Roches St.
Stephen O'Mara
bought bacon factory
in Palmerston, Ontario, Canada.
DIB
thinks this was 1901.
Joe O'Mara
went out to run it. Opened 1904.
Stephen O'Mara
purchased Donnelly's bacon factory, Dublin, 1906.
Jack O'Mara
was manager of O'Mara bacon factory before his death 1919.
Stephen O'Mara
was Managing Director of O'Mara Ltd as at 1923.
He
founded bacon factory in Claremorris, Co.Mayo, 1930.
He
founded bacon factory in Letterkenny, Co.Donegal.
Marcus O'Sullivan
managed the Limerick factory
c. late 1930s.
In 1938 the family business went public.
Bacon Company of Ireland formed,
with
Jack O'Mara
as Managing Director,
and subsidiaries the 3 bacon factories:
In March 1986, the old O'Mara factory in Limerick finally closed,
after nearly 150 years.
The offices were retained for a short time for use by the
Bacon Company of Ireland.
In late 1986 the Bacon Company of Ireland
merged with other companies to form Irish Country Bacon.
Merger proposed in Nov 1986.
Mickey O'Mara stopped involvement.
The offices on Roches St closed 1987.
In 1988 or 1989 the O'Mara factory was demolished, and the site sold.
It
became a car park.
The site is now the multi-storey car park,
covering most of
the block bounded by Roches St, Anne St and Roche's Row.
Location of O'Mara's bacon factory, Roches St, Limerick
(the block between Anne St and Roche's Row, see red cross).
From
1887 to 1913 map.
See
modern map.
A wonderful drawing of O'Maras in its heyday.
From a letterhead in or shortly after 1908.
See larger
and full size.
Item in The Irish Times,
28 Aug 1912.
Part of a feature on Irish companies exhibiting at the RDS Horse Show.
Says O'Mara's may be
"the most important bacon factory in the British Isles".
1947 aerial view showing Roches St (running along diagonally, lower down on picture).
O'Maras would be the RHS building with the chimney.
See wider.
From Britain from Above.
Non-commercial use.
Also just about visible in
another 1947 photo.
1952 aerial view showing Thomas St (LHS) and Roches St (RHS).
O'Maras is building in centre with the chimney.
From Britain from Above.
Non-commercial use.
Close-up shows "O MARA" written at Thomas St end.
Also visible in
another 1952 photo and
another 1952 photo.
1953 view of Limerick. Looking N. Tait's Clock in mid-foreground.
O'Maras is back centre, with the chimney.
From Sean Curtin.
Printed in
[Guiry, 2016, p.120].
O'Mara's bacon factory, Roches St, Limerick.
Photo 1978.
Junction of Roches St and Anne St.
Looking down Anne St towards Thomas St in the background.
Picture of O'Mara's on front page of
Limerick Leader, 8 Mar 1986.
O'Maras, think in 1980s.
From Tony Punch.
Printed in
[Guiry, 2016, p.31].
O'Maras being demolished, would be 1988 or 1989.
From Tony Punch.
Printed in
[Guiry, 2016, p.131].
"The English beef, the Welshman sheep,
The Scotchman haggis gnaws;
The Esquimo holds walrus fat
Between his greasy paws;
The Frenchman nibbles froggies' legs;
New Yorker's gobble clams,
But Irishmen who know what's what
Stick to O'Mara's Hams."
- Verse in booklet of O'Mara's centenary dinner, Savoy restaurant, Limerick, 11 Feb 1939.
The dinner included port from 1889
and cognac from 1839.
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