Ireland, Richard, Bow St, Covent Gdn, London, u (1769–84). Fellow of the Society of Arts, 1770–74. Bankrupt 1779. Attracted a number of influencial patrons. He is probably the ‘Ireland’, u, mentioned in the letters of Edward Gibbon as the supplier of white and gold bookcases for his house at 7 Bentwick St in 1772. He supplied furniture and undertook work on a regular basis for Richard Hoare of Boreham House, Essex between 1769–76, possibly for his London house. In total the patronage amounted to £157 13s, the largest sum being £59 5s paid on 8 November 1774. [D; poll bk; Heal; Leicester Journal, 19 June 1779; Essex RO, D/Du 649/2]