Sober, Active and Bred to the Sea: The Customs and Excise Service in Fingal, 1684-1765

The extensive smuggling trade between the Isle of Man and Ireland in the eighteenth century called for a vigorous response from government. The revenue officers in Fingal found themselves in the front line of the battle against the illicit trade in tea, tobacco and brandy. This is the story of how the customs and excise officers learned to cope with the hostility and violence they faced.