In the latter half of the 17th century, William Allen, a clothier and a member of the Society of Friends, lived and worked in Cork city. The Allens – Family & Friends traces the lives of his descendants down to the present day. Using contemporary sources, it chronicles the persecution of early Quakers and the involvement of the Allen family in the Society. We follow the family through the 18th century and its move to Dublin via Limerick and the establishment of a clothing business in Bridge Street.

In the 19th century, the Allens were closely involved with many reform movements, including the abolition of slavery and the establishment of the Dublin Cholera Hospital. Richard Allen, a philanthropist and social campaigner, was known for his involvement with the temperance movement and the anti-slavery campaign. The book follows Richard to Metz, after the Franco-Prussia War in 1870, and the tragic consequences of his visit.

By the 20th century, many of the family had left the Quakers through marriage outside the Society, resulting in new interests and occupations, such as farming and the textile industry. Travel abroad featured and Margaret Allen’s letters from America are a book in themselves. Insightful and informative, her writing is a colourful reflection of the country she visited.

The Allen family had close connections with Newtown School in its early days, connections that continue to this very day.

This is a book of two parts – the historical story of the family, followed by contemporary anecdotes and a collection of wills and family letters dating back over 350 years.

Clive Allen was born at The Drogheda Cottage Hospital, County Louth. He lived at Staffordstown House, Navan, County Meath until he was six when, in 1953, the family moved to Enniscorthy, County Wexford. He was educated at Saint Mary’s National School, Enniscorthy and Newtown School, Waterford. Clive has lived and worked for most of his life in Bunclody, County Wexford. He and his wife, Jo have three children – Weston, Rebecca and Edgar.

Helen Moss was born in Dublin and has been working as a researcher, specialising in genealogy, for the past twelve years. She lives in Wicklow with her husband and two children.