Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1873 - 1972 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
3 boxes
1 outsize folder
2 rolled maps
3 unboxed objects
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
J. & L. F. Goodbody was established in 1865 as a jute manufacturing business based at Clashawaun in Clara and also with offices in Dublin. Its directors were Jonathan Goodbody (1865-88), Lewis F. Goodbody (1865-87), Robert Goodbody (c1870-88), Joshua C. Goodbody (c1873-88), Fredrick R. Goodbody (1880-88) and J. B. Clibborn Goodbody (1880-88).
The business was formed into a limited company in 1888 and traded under the name J. & L. F. Goodbody Ltd. As well as jute, it also manufactured cotton and synthetics. Its main factories at Clara and Waterford were later joined by factories at Dublin, Limerick and Slane. In 1937, it became a public company when outside shareholders and directors were introduced. It was quoted on the Dublin Stock Exchange and wound up in 1984. The family crest was adopted as the registered trade mark.
Repository
Archival history
Donated to Offaly County Library in 1987.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The collection is comprised of artefacts, plans and drawings of the Clashawaun Works (jute spinning mill) and its machinery. The business records include; material relating to the formation of the limited company in 1888; correspondence with directors and partners; notices of meetings and resolutions adopted; some handwritten minutes and material relating to the formation of the limited company to a public company in 1937.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
The collection was arranged in a broadly chronological order. As there is no discernible original order to the items, the archivist retained this chronological sequence and reference codes but separated the items into four strands.
A – Establishment of factory (1873-1903)
B – Formation of limited company and expansions (1888 – 1934)
C – Formations of public company (1935 -55)
D – Artefacts (c. 1930-1972)
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
By appointment only. Contact Offaly Archives at [email protected]
Produced for consultation in original format with due regard for handling guidelines. Some fragile items may not be produced.
Conditions governing reproduction
May be reproduced in accordance with provisions of the Copyright and Related Rights Act (2000). No reproduction online, in print or broadcast without the express permission of copyright holder.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
A descriptive catalogue prepared is uploaded here.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Offaly County Library
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Offaly County Archives, J. & L. F. Goodbody, Clashawaun Works Floorplan , OCA/P97
Offaly County Archives, J. & L. F. Goodbody, Clashawaun Works Employment Legislation, OCA/P24
National Archives of Ireland, Business Records Survey, J. & L. F. Goodbody Ltd. Records, BRS OFF12
Offaly County Library, Local Studies Collections, Clara and Clashawaun Photograph Collection.
Dublin Friends Historical Library, GoodbodyPrivate Papers
Publication note
Goodbody, M., The Goodbodys – the story of an Irish Quaker family 1630 – 1950, Ashfield Press, Dublin (2011)
Publication note
Stewart, M., Goodbodys of Clara, privately published by J. & L. F. Goodbody (1965)
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
ISAD (G), 2nd Ed.
Dates of creation revision deletion
June 2019, Ciara O'Brien