Chats on Old Clocks

by Arthur Hayden

Irish Clockmakers.—The art of the clockmaker in Ireland, although having by no means lagged behind that of Scotland, has not received the attention of collectors and connoisseurs which it deserves.

Researches are being made, and new data are coming to hand which will assist the student to determine the period of Irish clockmakers' work. There are some 1,100 names already known of makers, and those interested await the results of close and painstaking investigation which will enable the record to be published.

By the kindness of Mr. Dudley Westropp, of the National Museum, Dublin, the following names are here given, tabulating a few of the leading Irish makers of the eighteenth century:—

• George Aicken (Cork), 1770-95.
• A clock by this maker is illustrated (p. [273]).
• Michael Archdekin (Dublin), 1769-1800.
• Joseph Blundell (Dublin), 1703-32 (died).
• Thomas Blundell (Dublin), 1733-75 (died).
• Timothy Conway (Cork), 1783-1804 (died).
• Thomas Coote (Dublin), 1733-47.
• Hugh Cunningham (Dublin), 1755-77 (died).
• George Furnace (Dublin), 1751-73.
• Charles Gillespy (Dublin), 1747-71 (died).
• Alexander Gordon (Dublin), 1756-87 (died).
• There was an Alexander Gordon at Dundee, 1729. Maker of the first clock at Brechin Town Hall.
• George Graydon (Dublin), 1764-1805 (died).
• A clock by this maker is illustrated (p. [269]).
• Martin Kirkpatrick (Dublin), 1720-69 (died).
• John Knox (Belfast), 1729-83.
• Frederick May (Dublin), 1770-96.
• Thomas Meeking (Dublin), 1682-1709 (died).
• John Nelson (Dublin), 1786-1813.
• James Pickering (Dublin), 1737-71 (died).
• William Ross (Cork), 1764-1817.
• Samuel Slocomb (Cork), 1735-50.
• Edward Tounley (Dundalk), 1820-24.
• Richard Wyatt (Dublin), 1731-55 (died).

These dates do not represent the makers' complete history. Some may have worked prior to the first date and after the last date, except when stated as having died then.

In regard to Belfast, the late Isaac W. Ward contributed some notes to the Belfast Evening Telegraph in 1909 on "Early Belfast Clock and Watchmakers," which enable some interesting particulars to be given. In 1791 one Job Rider announced that he had commenced business in Belfast, "where he makes clocks and watches of all kinds in the common manner with Harrison's and other modern improvements." It would appear that he had been to London, where possibly he was apprenticed, and had visited Dublin and Hillsborough. From 1805 to 1807 he was in partnership with R. L. Gardner. After 1807 he seems to have been associated with William Boyd.

MUSICAL CLOCK BY GEORGE AICKEN (CORK).
Date, 1770-95.
Lunette marked "Minuet, March, Jigg, Air, Minuet, Gavot." The indicator is pointing to "Air." Two subsidiary dials marked "Strike," "Not Strike," and "Chime," "Not Chime."
(At National Museum, Dublin.)