This book looks at the establishment, growth and decline of the mackeral fishing industry in Baltimore, Co. Cork. The start period covered by this book is the year in which a concerted effort by one local landlord, the parish priest and the local community led to the initiation of 2 separate, but related initiatives, that allowed Baltimore to progress economically with growth of Celtic Tiger proportions. These were the creation of a fund to grant 20 year interest free loans of 50% of the cost of a fishing boat and the establishment of a Fishery School under the Industrial Schools Act.
Chapters on the economic, social and political impacts of the industry on Baltimore and details of the development of the towns maritime infrastructure make this publication a worthwhile multidisciplinary study of this former industry.