I've got a hobo knife from Imperial, Ireland myself. Acording to this thread on KF they really were made in Ireland.
http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/803492/Backsprings on mine are real nail breakers and always were, also now a bit rusty.
However it's got some sentimental value to me as it was one I was given as a boy.