This webpage came about out of the Limerick City Council's and the Hunt Museum's commitment to the local community. Communities are bound together by shared memories and experiences.

The City Council and Archives by encouraging research into our common past and bringing it to the local public, hope to raise greater awareness of our history and thereby strengthen our sense of community.

Ranks Mills was crucial to Limerick life over a span of several decades. Ranks Mills also provided an excellent example of life and work in Limerick’s recent past.

The donation of the Mercier Papers to the Limerick City Archives in 2010 allowed the Ranks Mills and its employees to be investigated in an unprecedented manner. Furthermore, an Oral History Project was organised with the assistance of Mary Immaculate College, staff and students.

This through a series of interviews sought to record the experiences of those employed by Ranks. This work is intended to be more than a history of an important industry. Thanks to the Mercier Records and the Oral History Project it has been possible to write a history of everyday life and work in Limerick and to throw a light on our shared past- a past that has shaped our present.

The City’s Archives commitment is to not just to record and preserve the people’s history but to bring our heritage to as wide an audience as possible. Alongside the publication of the book- the archives are opening a website dedicated to Ranks history and in co-operation with the Hunt Museum will host an exhibition dedicated to the Limerick Mills.

It is hoped that these will increase not only our knowledge of Ranks but also of our city and an awareness of our past and Limerick’s unique identity.