Urney Chocolates
Urney Chocolates is a confectionery business now based in County Kildare, Ireland. The brand is now operated by L.C. Confectionery Ltd.
Established in 1917 by Eileen and Harry Gallagher at their home, Urney House, in the parish of Urney, County Tyrone.
Harry Gallagher (born 1879) was Crown Solicitor for County Donegal. Sweet-making was one of a number of local industries started by Eileen Gallagher based in the back garden of their house in an effort to stem the tide of emigration from the area.[1]
The original factory burned down in 1924 and they moved production to Belgard Road, Tallaght, Dublin.
Urney’s employed over 200 by 1928.[2]
By the 1960s Urney Chocolates and its subsidiaries were employing almost 1,000 workers. At that time it was considered one of the largest chocolate factories in Europe.[3]
Urney's at some stage acquired Liam Devlin and Sons confectioners of Cork Street.[4]
The New York-based company, W. and R. Grace, bought Urney's out in 1963
1970 Grace sold the business as a going concern to Unilever. Unilever soon changed the name to HB Chocolates. They ceased production in 1980. The former factory became a DIY store.[5]