Trouble on the Line

A Strike at the Works

At the end of August 1845, work on the Carlow to Athy Railway line was seriously disrupted by strike action. A group of workers from Tipperary lead the dispute, which occurred about four miles from Carlow Town. About 200 men stopped work on the line near Athy. They demanded higher wages for the labourers an increase of 5 shillings per week to 15 shillings. They also sought a raise from 4 to 6 shillings per day for the car owners. Their demands were refused when they proceeded along the line towards Carlow and called on the workers to strike. They used force to achieve their objectives, and as a result many workers joined in the strike. The rioters assaulted some of the contractors. The people of the area supported the overseers in a counter attack. The rioters retreated to Athy. The object of this strike was to intimidate the contractors and to extort a higher rate of wages that was affordable or indeed, given on any other line. The report in the "Carlow Sentinel" asserted that ten shillings was a fair wage for labourers. They advised the contractors not to give employment to strangers "who usually poison the minds of the surrounding population."

Riot scene in Carlow

A typical riot scene in Carlow in the mid nineteenth century. It is taken from Hall's Ireland c1840.

Carlow County Library

Riot scene in Carlow
Carlow County Library

Riot scene in Carlow

A typical riot scene in Carlow in the mid nineteenth century. It is taken from Hall's Ireland c1840.

Carlow County Library

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A Riot Prevented

On Wednesday July 22nd, 1846 a serious riot on the Railway line near Carlow was averted. The source of the trouble was that workmen from the Dublin end of the line were sent to assist with the laying of points near the station house. The men originally employed on that work objected. They insisted on completing that work themselves, and threatened to attack the Dublin workers. Thomas Haughton, J.P., Mr. Richards, Sub-inspector, Head Constable Saville and other policemen proceeded to the scene. The prominent rioters were taken into custody. The men from Carlow refused to work but no further disturbance took place. The police stayed on duty during the night to prevent interference with the railway works.