Stitcher: Doreen Scotland (Edinburgh, Scotland).
John Barbour from Paisley began manufacturing linen thread at the Plantation, Lisburn, in 1783. His son, William took over the lease in 1824 transferring the business to the site of an old bleach green at Hilden, on the banks of the Lagan. Driven by a huge water-wheel, thread was spun, bleached and dyed, and by 1837 over 300 people were employed at Hilden. It was not long before the company’s success enabled it to open other factories overseas, notably in the United States. In 1898 Barbour & Sons was renamed the Linen Thread Co., the largest producer of linen thread in the world. Hilden Mill finally closed its doors in 2006.
GBNI05 Companaidh an t-Snàth Anairt
Thòisich Iain Barbour à Pàislig a’ dèanamh snàth anairt aig am Plantation, Lisburn, ann an 1783. Ghabh a mhac, Uilleam, an aonta thairis ann an 1824 a’ gluasad a’ ghnothachais gu làrach seann ghlasaich gealachaidh ann an Hilden, air bruachan an Lagain. Air a stiùireadh le roth mhòr uisge, bha snàth ga shnìomh, ga ghealachadh agus ga dhath, agus ro 1837 bha còrr air 300 neach ag obair aig Hilden. Cha robh e fada gus an tug soirbheachadh a’ chompanaidh cothrom dha factaraidhean eile fhosgladh thall-thairis, gu h-àraid sna Stàitean Aonaichte. Ann an 1898, chaidh Barbour & a Mhic ath-ainmeachadh gu Companaidh an tSnàth Anairt, an neach-toraidh snàth anairt bu mhotha san t-saoghal. Dhùin Muileann Hilden airson an uair mu dheireadh ann an 2006.