Clare Past Forum

The Clare Journal, Thur 26 Oct 1865, carried a large advertisement placed by William Todd and Co. stating that the company had just succeeded in purchasing, at very low price, “A large quantity of Coloured (all Wool) Blankets manufactured for the Confederate Army.”
According to a report in the same issue, The Ennis Union received a letter from the company:

A letter was read from the Messrs Todd Burns and Co, Dublin, calling the attention of the guardians to the fact that they had on hands several thousand pairs of coloured bed rugs, and blankets, which were intended for the Confederate army, and purchased by them at a very reduced rate, and which they now offered on the same terms that they bought them. Samples of those articles would be forwarded if required. Samples were ordered.

Sheila

The offer of Confederate Blankets was not taken up by the Ennis Poor Law Union, but this advertisement was placed by Thomas Revington & Co, Church-street, in the Clare Journal of Mon 11 Dec 1865: "Confederate Blankets. Have just received a Large Lot of the above Blankets at 7s 6d per pair. Also a quantity of Flannels, suitable for Charitable Purposes. All those are good for Charitable Purposes, and charged only at Wholesale Prices.”
Four years later, Confederate blankets were still for sale in Ennis. This advertisement was placed by George Carson & Sons, Church-street Ennis, in the Clare Journal of Thur 16 Dec 1869: “Christmas Charities. Cheap Confederate Blankets - For Charitable Purposes.”

The Clare Journal, of Mon 3 Jan 1870, published this notice:

Christmas Charity. Rev Robert Fitzgerald gratefully acknowledges the receipt of £10 from Miss Finucane, Pembroke Road, Dublin, late of Larch Hill, for the poor of the town, to be distributed according to his discretion. Blankets have been purchased, and given to twenty six destitute families in Ennis.

It may be that the confederate blankets had found a home at last.

Sheila