Editing Banagher (section)

=== Economic growth ===

In the 17th century, Banagher was the centre of a flourishing woollen trade. In 1699, the impost placed on the export of woollen goods to England practically killed the woollen trade. At the outbreak of the [[American Revolutionary War]] in 1775, an embargo placed on the export of foodstuffs to the [[Thirteen Colonies|American Colonies]] dealt another blow to the trade of Banagher. In 1780, the [[British Parliament]] withdrew all these restrictions and Banagher's economy began to improve rapidly.<ref name=OHAS-BCT/>

From 1800 to 1847, Banagher enjoyed a period of prosperity unequalled in its history.<ref name=CivicWeek/> Corn growing had long been one of the chief agricultural activities of the district and the opening of the [[Grand Canal (Ireland)|Grand Canal]] at the end of the 18th century gave easy access to Dublin and Limerick and brought cheap and efficient water transport to the district. Banagher became the outlet for the grain raised in a wide area around the town, and the Banagher corn market on Fridays was one of the largest of such fairs in Ireland.<ref name="Conservation Plan 2018">{{cite book |last1=Howley Hayes Architects |title=Historic Banagher, Co. Offaly - Conservation, Interpretation and Management Plan |date=2018 |publisher=The Heritage Council (of Ireland) and Offaly County Council |location=Ireland |page=9}}</ref>

The canal arrived at Shannon Harbour in 1804, and the water transport facilities stimulated the growth of existing industries and encouraged the establishment of new ones. Neat two and three-storey houses were built on each side of the road in Banagher to provide shops and dwellings for the merchants and other people who came to live there for the canal business.<ref name=Moriarty/> In 1834, there was a [[distillery]], a brewery, two tanyards, a malthouse and corn mills in full operation in the town. Several craftsmen carried on industries in smaller workshops and their homes. With the increase in trade and manufactures went a corresponding increase in population. In 1800, the population was estimated at 1500; in 1841, it was 2836, and in 1846, it was estimated at 3000.<ref name=CivicWeek/>