The spread of the Quaker movement was remarkably rapid, given that those spreading the word needed to travel by foot, by horse or by boat. George Fox’s active public speaking began in 1652; the first recorded Quaker Meetings in Ireland were held in 1654 at the home of William Edmundson (1627–1712), Ireland’s first Quaker, in Lurgan, Co. Armagh. 

The English-born Edmundson had fought as a Cromwellian soldier. He came to Dublin in 1652 intending to open a shop, but frequently travelled back to England, where he began to attend Quaker Meetings. When he heard James Nayler speak in 1653, it transformed his life. 

for his Quaker activities. He and his family moved south to Cavan, and then to Mountmellick, to escape further persecution. Edmundson became known as a charismatic speaker, with a reputation for sincerity and integrity, and was frequently imprisoned. He travelled all over Ireland spreading the Quaker message, and later to Barbados, Jamaica, Virginia, the Carolinas and New England, where he also met peaceably with Indian leaders. He continued his Quaker work until he died in 1712.

The first Lurgan Meeting House was built in the town in 1696 as a result of subscriptions from 120 members of the Quaker congregation. During the intervening 42 years, Quaker Meetings were mostly held in Friends’ homes or in barns.

Today, there are about 20 Quaker Meetings and about 7 smaller Worship Groups in Ireland Yearly Meeting.