Crackin’ new Dundalk exhibition and talk explores the history of Jacob’s Biscuit Factory

A new exhibition, entitled, Jacob’s Biscuit Factory & Dublin: An Assorted History is currently on display at Louth County Archives Service, Old Gaol, Ardee Road. 

The exhibition opened on Wednesday evening and will run until 7 September (9.30am-1pm, 2pm-4pm, Mon-Fri) with the kind permission of Dublin City Library and Archive.

A lunchtime talk will also take place on today (24 August) from 1pm-2pm by exhibition curator Wendy Williams.

Drawing on the vast 330 boxes of Jacob Biscuit Factory Archives held at Dublin City Library and Archive, and using beautifully illustrated panels, oral histories, flags and original artefacts, the exhibition tells both a chronological and thematic history of Jacob’s Biscuit Factory.

The events of 1913-1922 which impacted on Ireland nationally feature prominently and using the lens of the factory allows the exhibition to provide a unique contribution to the Decade of Commemorations.

The exhibition also tells more broadly the impact of Jacob’s on social, cultural and political life in Ireland throughout the twentieth century. It includes an impressive time-line showing the changing faces of Jacob’s biscuit labels throughout the decades, and original artefacts such as a locked recipe book, an ‘Irish Free State’ Biscuit tin, a long service medal and watch, and a travelling salesman kit.

Visitors will find out about the fascinating history of the Jacobs cream-cracker, who was the marketing genius to develop the concept of Jim Figgerty, and how did major national and international events from 1916 Rising to both World Wars impact the business, customers, and staff.

County Archivist, Lorraine McCann said: “This colourful exhibition focuses on the history of the factory, the workers, the biscuits it produced and its impact on Irish life in the twentieth century. I encourage everyone to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane & visit this tasty exhibition”

The exhibition was curated by Dublin City Library & Archive, made possible by a generous donation of company records from Valeo Foods, the Jacobs brand owner, together with a lifetime of committed collecting by Douglas Appleyard, and funded by Dublin City Council Decade of Commemoration.

A lunchtime talk by exhibition curator Wendy Williams will take place from 1pm-2pm on Friday 24 August to coincide with the exhibition. The talk will draw on the archive collection held at Dublin City Library & Archive and will look at many aspects of Jacob's 160-year business legacy from the origins of the names of the biscuits to welfare provisions for the people who made them.

Members of the public are encouraged to contact Louth County Archives @louthcoco and @dclareadingroom using #jacobsassorted if they have Jacob’s memorabilia which they would like to add to the archive or to share their favourite labels or memories of Jacob’s.

In particular, DCLA are gathering stories of the after-life of Jacob’s biscuit tins. What did you keep in the tin or box, once all the biscuits were eaten? For example that spare parts for the first Aer Lingus plane Iolar were carried in a Jacob’s tin!