The linen shuttle was used in weaving for passing the thread of the weft backwards and forwards from left to right inside the loom. It has two pointed ends and was used to carry the thread from one edge of the cloth to the other side between the threads of the warp, using the bobbin which would have been contained inside the shuttle.

As far back as 1803 Portadown was noted for its extensive business in linen manufacturing by handloom. By the late 19 th century there were seven large weaving factories in Portadown and some of these had over 500 power looms. The weaving factories were Watson Armstrong of Watson Street, Tavanagh Weaving Co. of Armagh Road, Hamilton Robb and Co. of Goban Street, Portadown Weaving Co. of the Annagh, Spence Bryson and Co. Ltd of Portmore Street and Meadow Lane, Castleisland Linen Co. and Achesons Ltd of Garvaghy Road. The factories employed 2000-3000 workers and were involved in the manufacture of fine linen, cambric handkerchiefs, embroidery linen, artists' linen canvas, dress linens and Damask tablecloths. Good railway and water communications in Portadown greatly assisted the development of the linen industry.