The purpose of this book is to examine the experience of the footwear industry after independence in 1922. This industry was an important one in Ireland because it was well suited to government needs. Some factories were already in operation. The industry was labour intensive and could play a vital role creating new employment opportunities.
Here in Tralee the ‘boot factory’ was a great source of employment. The official company name was Traly Footwear Ltd. The factory was established in 1936. This entity continued until 1978 when the New Balance Athletic Shoe company of Boston took over. The boot and shoe factory was making running shoes after this change of ownership.
Needless to say the footwear industry in Tralee is distant memory. Cheaper labour and input costs meant the industry was transferred to Asia and this migration sounded the death knell of the Irish ‘boot factory’.
This book is a fascinating insight to a once vibrant industry that was often the cornerstone of employment in many rural towns in Ireland.