Louis Crommelin

Crommelin, Louis, a Huguenot refugee, who was invited over from Holland by King William III., and established the linen manufacture in Ireland.

He was a man of business qualities, good sense, energy, and perseverance.

He settled at Lisburn (then Lisnagarvey) with a number of his fellow Huguenots, and a little French colony was formed, which retained its identity for nearly a century.

Eight per cent. was guaranteed him for twelve years on his capital of £10,000, besides an annuity of £200 for life, and £120 a year for two assistants.

One thousand looms and spinning wheels were imported into Ireland from Holland, and before long the manufacture made rapid progress.

In 1705 he published, in Dublin, a Linen Manufacturer’s Manual.

The thanks of Parliament were ultimately voted to him, and some £2,000 was granted in aid of his exertions.

He died in 1727, and was buried beside other members of his family at Lisburn.

William Crommelin, his brother, endeavoured, under the auspices of the Marquis of Ormond, to establish the manufacture at Kilkenny.

The chief Huguenot settlements in Ireland were at Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Kilkenny, Lisburn, and Portarlington—the Irish Parliament, in 1674, passing an Act offering letters of naturalization to the refugees, and free admission to all the corporations.

They introduced glove-making, silk-weaving, lace-making, the manufactures of cloth and linen, besides other trades.

The most notable families that settled in Ireland were: Barre, Bouherau (now Borough), Chaigneau, Crommelin, De la Cherois, De Loval, De Lavalade, De Mazieres, Des Voeux, Fleury, Fontaine, Gaussen, Geneste, Goyer, Gualy, Guillot, Guyon de Geis, La Touche, La Tranche (Trench), La Vallade, Le Fanu, Lefroy, Logier, Mangin, Maturin, Perrin, Teulon or Tholon, Thorius, and Vignoles.

Sources

166. Huguenots in England and Ireland: Samuel Smiles. London, 1867.