Clarke’s Tobacco Factory
William Clarke & Son, a prominent tobacco and snuff manufacturer, was established on South Main Street in Cork in 1830. By 1870, the company had shifted its manufacturing operations to Liverpool. However, the establishment of the Irish Free State and its new customs regulations prompted the company to return its manufacturing to Ireland around 1924. A new factory site was selected on South Circular Road in Dublin, initially depicted as a greenfield area on Ordnance Survey maps from c.1837-1842 and c.1910.
In December 1924, the Dublin Borough Commissioners initiated a major public works scheme to alleviate unemployment, funded by a £45,000 government grant. This included significant projects such as sewerage for Crumlin, new settling tanks along the Grand Canal to improve water supply, and a new sewer system in the Tolka Valley to serve Drumcondra and Glasnevin. One of the key undertakings was the diversion of the Poddle River near Messrs Wm. Clarke and Son’s new tobacco factory on South Circular Road, to prevent flooding and stagnant water. The culvert work, costing £2,600, formed part of broader efforts to improve infrastructure. Road improvements, lane cleaning, and upgrades at various sites across Dublin employed hundreds of workers, providing much-needed jobs.
The new factory for Messrs Wm. Clarke and Son, designed by Beckett & Harrington, was part of this era of industrial expansion, influenced by the establishment of the Irish Free State and new customs regulations. Clarke’s factory was constructed in two phases, with the first building completed in 1923 and further additions in 1924. The diversion of the Poddle River was essential not only for flood prevention but also for the factory’s proper functioning.
The construction of the new factory at 276-288 South Circular Road, occurred in two phases. Factory No.1, a single-storey building with northlights, was completed in 1923. Factory No.2, which included office spaces and fronted South Circular Road, was constructed starting in 1924. The architectural design of both factories was undertaken by the renowned firm Beckett & Harrington, in collaboration with R. Earle, the chief engineer of the Imperial Tobacco Company, of which William Clarke & Son was a subsidiary.
Factory No.1 was designed as a single-storey structure, featuring northlights to enhance natural light. Factory No.2, originally planned as a two-storey building, had its design details outlined in the Bill of Quantities. This document specifies the use of brick for the front elevation, laid in English bond with cement mortar, and Chester firebrick quoins. Concrete parapets and artificial stone dressings were also used. The windows were steel casements of varying types. Evidence suggests that the second floor of Factory No.2 was added later, as indicated by a change in brickwork and bonding style.
The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) assigns a construction date of 1935 to the entire factory complex, though this likely reflects the date of significant extensions rather than the initial construction. Beckett & Harrington, who also worked on the factory’s design, continued to be involved in its development, including an article by Beckett in 1939 discussing factory design principles such as natural light, suitable materials, and recreation facilities. An accompanying image from this period shows pleasure grounds at the north end of the site, which have since been removed.
In 1949, Dublin Corporation granted permission for the construction of a new staff restaurant, also designed by Beckett & Harrington, located on the north and east blocks of Factory No.2. During the 1960s, John Player & Sons, having merged with Wills to form Player Wills, further expanded the site with a new office block and references to a theater.
The development of the factory in the early 1920s was closely linked to the evolving political landscape in Ireland, particularly the changes brought about by the Irish Free State’s customs system. This shift prompted several major tobacco companies to seek new manufacturing sites in Dublin. The factory designed by Beckett & Harrington stands as a significant example of early 20th-century industrial architecture, reflecting the era’s emphasis on natural light and functional design despite later alterations and the removal of many original features.
Association with Poddle
The Poddle River fed the factory through the Tenter Stream.
What the Newspapers Say
- In December 1924, Dublin Borough Commissioners initiated a major public works scheme to relieve unemployment, funded by a £45,000 government grant. The project included sewerage for Crumlin, settling tanks along the Grand Canal for the city’s water supply, and a new sewer in the Tolka Valley for Drumcondra and Glasnevin. A notable project was the diversion of the Poddle River near Messrs Wm. Clarke and Son’s new tobacco factory to prevent flooding and stagnant water. Other improvements addressed flooding issues and road upgrades, employing hundreds of workers across the city.
- In February 1925, the Minister for Local Government responded to P.S. O’Dubhghaill T.D., confirming a £45,000 relief grant for works, with total costs reaching £84,583. Projects included constructing settling tanks, sewer systems in Crumlin and the Tolka Valley, and diverting the Poddle River near Messrs Wm. Clarke and Son’s tobacco factory. The culvert work at Clarke’s factory, costing £2,600, aimed to manage water flow. Road improvements and lane cleaning were also part of the scheme. Additional works would proceed if more grants became available.