Rathborne Candles is the oldest

candle A candle is an ignitable wick embedded in wax, or another flammable solid substance such as tallow, that provides light, and in some cases, a fragrance. A candle can also provide heat or a method of keeping time. A person who makes candles i ...

manufacturer in the world, founded in 1488 in

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...

History

The Candlemaker-Rathbornes Candles (16356342243)

Joseph Rathborne came from

Chester Chester is a cathedral city and the county town of Cheshire, England. It is located on the River Dee, close to the English–Welsh border. With a population of 79,645 in 2011,"2011 Census results: People and Population Profile: Chester Loca ...

to Dublin and later established a candle manufacturing business in Dublin's

Winetavern Street Winetavern Street is a street in the medieval area of Dublin, Ireland. Location Winetavern Street runs from High Street northwards and down to the quays, passing Christ Church Cathedral on its east side, in the heart of Medieval Dublin. Hist ...

and sites surrounding Christ Church Cathedral. For nearly 150 years Rathbornes produced their candles in this district before locating on the north side of the city near St. Mary's Abbey. In 1616 the

Candlelight Law Candlelight or Candlelighting or Candlelighter may refer to: *Light created by a candle *Candlelighting, the lighting of Shabbat candles *A candlelight vigil, an outdoor assembly of people carrying candles, held after sunset in order to show suppo ...

decreed that every fifth home should display a light for passers-by. Later in the seventeenth century, Rathbornes Candles was contracted to supply

street light A street light, light pole, lamp pole, lamppost, street lamp, light standard, or lamp standard is a raised source of light on the edge of a road or path. Similar lights may be found on a railway platform. When urban electric power distribution ...

ing in Dublin. In addition, the company secured lucrative contracts supplying the lighthouses around the Irish coast. In 1650 the business was located in Cabragh Lane (later renamed Prussia Street). In 1711 Joseph Rathborne signed a lease on a parcel of ground fronting Great Britain Street (modern day Parnell Street) for a term of 90 years from 'John Brock of Dublin, Joyner'. The plot measured 20ft wide x 70ft long and warranted an annual rent of £3. 7s. 6d. In 1744 William Rathborne decided to start a business outside the city. He leased a part of the lands of the townland of

Dunsink Dunsink () is a townland in the civil parish of Castleknock, Dublin, in Ireland. The townland has an area of approximately , and had a population of 323 people as of the 2011 census. The townland is the site of Dunsink Observatory, where Wil ...

from the Rt. Hon. William Connolly and erected a small workshop. In 1763 he renewed the lease of Dunsink and around this time he built a house on part of the land in Scribblestown. Since then, the Rathborne family has a long association with various areas in Dublin 15 including Dunsinea, Ashtown and Scribblestown, although other historical locations for the business in Dublin are documented. Near to Scribblestown there is now a housing development named "Rathborne". William Rathborne died in 1779 and the business passed on to his son William. He in turn passed on the firm to his son Henry, who built a fine house in 1811, called Dunsinea House. The house is now part of the headquarters of

Teagasc Teagasc (, meaning "Instruction") is the semi-state authority in the Republic of Ireland responsible for research and development, training and advisory services in the agri-food sector. The official title of the body is Teagasc - The Agriculture ...

. In 2002 the company moved from the East Wall Road, Dublin, its premises since 1925, to its current location in Rosemount Business Park,

Blanchardstown Blanchardstown () is a large outer suburb of Dublin in the modern Counties of Ireland, county of Fingal, Ireland. Located northwest of Dublin city centre, it has developed since the 1960s from a small village to a point where Greater Blanchards ...

, Dublin 15.

Current operations

The company manufactures a range of candles, varying from paraffin wax to pure beeswax. They have a scented candle range, but still primarily produce church candles. The Christmas candle in the west of Ireland is a popular item, which is traditionally placed in the window. The company is the sponsor of "Atmospheric Restaurant of the Year" award in Ireland. Rathbornes candles also have a division known as Lalor Church Candles for candle supplies and other ecclesiastical products. Rathbornes acquired Lalor Ltd. in 1966.

References

External links

Lalor Church Candles

History of Rathborne/Lalor
Candles Manufacturing companies of Ireland 1488 establishments in Europe {{History of Dublin