A memorial of tenants in the parish of Athenry, addressed to the Lord Lieutenant, May 1846.

Source: Distress Papers, National Archives

D =1453

Co. Galway

Lands of Currintarmud

BY Tyaquin

No date

Memorial of Tenants in the parish of Athenry to H.E. the Lord Lieutenant

Thurs – That during  a long life they struggled to maintain themselves, but are now obliged by their necessity to appeal to H.E. – The potato rot has deprived them of all means of support, their distress is too great for human endurance. Pray H.E. may take this case into consideration and send them immediate relief, as they have not even a days provisions for themselves and their starving families. If relief is not sent their sufferings will be awful to contemplate.

P.L.U, Tuam & Monivea

The official response is hastily written on the margins of the document:

‘State that the Commissioners of Public Works and the Treasury have by a letter dated May 22 approved some works in Athenry, which it is hoped will give relief to the memorialists.

If the hardship is too urgent to admit of waiting for the commencement of the works – a local subscription should be entered into, a list of the subscribers should be forwarded together with a certificate of lodgement of the money and the government will then be prepared to add a donation immediately’.

The document also contains the following notes:

‘’2/5/46 Workhouse not open’’

‘’Done 28/5/46 T.H.’’