Appendix: Irish Combination Acts, 1705–80

Summary

General

• 3 Geo. II c. 14 (1730): An act to prevent unlawful combinations of workmen, artificers, and labourers employed in the several trades and manufactures of this kingdom, and for the better payment of their wages; as also, to prevent abuses in making of bricks, and to ascertain their dimensions.* [This was the first general combination act to deal with industrial relations. Before it came into force, and after most Irish Combination Acts were repealed by the Westminster parliament in 1824/5, a person could be indicted and convicted of belonging to a combination by means of the common law]

• 5 Geo. II c. 4 (1732): An act for the further explaining and amending the several laws for preventing frauds committed by tenants; and for the more easy renewal of leases; and for the further amendment of the law in certain cases therein mentioned. [Section XI, 3 Geo. II c. 14 (1730) was amended, thereby making the punishments stricter for people convicted of assault. An offending journeyman could be fined 40s.]

• 17 Geo. II c. 8 (1744): An act for continuing several statutes now near expiring, and for amending other statutes, and for other purposes therein mentioned.* [Section III, 3 Geo. II c. 14 (1730) was amended, making it illegal to belong to an ‘unincorporated’ assembly comprising three or more people, to give charitable donations (‘box club’) to unemployed journeymen, and to let private houses be used for journeymen's meetings]

• 19 & 20 Geo. III c. 19 (1780): An act to prevent combinations, and for the further encouragement of trade. * [The activities associated with belonging to a combination are described in detail. 31 Geo. II c. 10, Sect. 13 and 33 Geo. II c. 5, Sect. IV were extended to cover other manufactures. Also, journeymen were forbidden from preventing ‘foreigners’ and women working in certain trades]

• 4 Anne c. 8 (1705): An act to regulate the taking and exacting tolls throughout this kingdom; and to prevent engrossing coals in the city of Dublin. [To tackle ‘fraudulent practices’ and ‘combinations’ in the coal trade, carried on by ship owners, masters and merchants. Also see: 6 Geo. I c. 2 (1719); 1 Geo. II c. 21 (1728); 31 Geo. II c. 15 (1758); 1 Geo. III c. 10 (1762); 11 Geo. III c. 5 (1771)]