Quakers in Kildare

The first Quaker was a man called George Fox. He was born in 1624 in Leicestershire, England. As a young man, he began to look for a way to live a Christian life in a simple way without the rituals and traditions associated with the main churches of the time. Together with some like-minded people, Fox named his movement 'The Religious Society of Friends'. They were persecuted and imprisoned for their beliefs. They were nicknamed 'Quakers' and are commonly known by that name.

The first recorded meeting of the Religious Society of Friends in Ireland, took place in 1654. Small numbers of Quakers settled in Ulster and various parts of Leinster in particular.

Quaker Bonnet, Ballitore Quaker Museum, Co. Kildare

A bonnet which would have been worn by a Quaker woman in the 1800s.

Courtesy of County Kildare Library and Arts Service

Quaker Bonnet, Ballitore Quaker Museum, Co. Kildare
Courtesy of County Kildare Library and Arts Service

Quaker Bonnet, Ballitore Quaker Museum, Co. Kildare

A bonnet which would have been worn by a Quaker woman in the 1800s.

Courtesy of County Kildare Library and Arts Service

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Some Quakers became involved in business as they could not attend university or take jobs which involved swearing an oath as this was against their beliefs. Due to their hard work and honesty, many Quaker businesses were very successful. Well known Irish companies which were founded by Quakers are Bewley's and Jacob's, the biscuit manufacturer. Mountmellick, in Co. Laois, benefitted greatly from the Quaker families who settled there.

There are approximately 1,600 Quakers in Ireland, North and South, today.