South Dublin County Libraries

1. SDCC Source
2. Audio
3. W & R Jacob & Co. Collection

Title:	W. and R. Jacob Oral History Collection 3: Brenda Boyd (b. 1958) and Iris Smart (b. 1949)
Authors:	O'Keeffe, Maurice South Dublin Libraries
Keywords:	Jacob's biscuit factory industry
Issue Date:	2014
Description:	Track 1: The recording begins with an interview with Brenda Boyd who explains that she joined Jacobs in 1974 when she was sixteen, working in the Wages Office, where her responsibilities included the pay hatch, the switchboard and dealing with bonuses. She recalls the magazine The Biscuit Barrel, printed by the company, the fun of being involved in the Jacobs ‘Tops of the Town’ and the coordinator, Harry Nolan. Track 2: Brenda points out the sites of the Glen Abbey factory, Urneys, Gallaghers and Jacobs, which were all in close proximity; all are now closed resulting in a profound loss to the local community. She recalls that a pensioners’ group was set up by the Social Club and the company management, and that this proved very useful for former employees who wished to maintain social contact. Track 3: Iris Smart recalls joining Jacobs in 1973, working first in the Accounting Office, where the manager was Emer Proudfoot. The move from Bishop Street to Tallaght is recalled, though Iris herself remained in Bishop Street. Memories of the social side of life in Jacobs and of the group winning ‘Tops of the Town’ in 1979 are recounted. Iris later moved to the Information Services Department of Jacobs and describes her role there. Track 4: Both Brenda and Iris discuss the large scale of production at Jacobs, the variety of brand names, the wonderful smell of freshly-baked biscuits, and the occasional burnt batch! Track 5: A discussion follows on the final days of Irish Biscuits, and the takeover by Fruitfield under the management of Michael Carey.
URI:	https://hdl.handle.net/10599/10749
Appears in Collections:	Published Items W & R Jacob & Co. Collection

This item is protected by original copyright View License

Items in Source are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.