APH
Famine Soup Pot. Photo: Noel Dillon.
MARCH 21st, 1846
GALWAY – Annadown Dispensary
- Donnellan, M.D., states that diarrhoea and fever are on the increase which he attributes to unsoundness of potatoes. Number of patients increased (about 50 a week); a great number of labourers. Fears the disease will increase.
ATHENRY PUBLIC WORKS – Report in the Galway Vindicator Newspaper
A very respective meeting of the inhabitants of Athenry and its vicinity was held on Monday last to consider the provisions of the new act of parliament. Those in attendance were: Burton Persse, John Lopdell, Honourable Denis Daly, Martin K. Blake, Walter P. Lambert, John D. Bodkin, John Taylor, Laurence Smith, Mark Loughnane, Michael Hennaelly, & C&C. Several resolutions were welcomed to meet the coming state of distress, and application made for £20,394 to be expended in local improvements.
British Part Papers Vol. 5. Page 301.
Board of Works return of the number and nature of amount applied for and amount of money given:
Barony: Athenry: New roads, improving old ones
Date: March 23rd 1846
Amount: £2144
Area in acres; 12435
Population: 4193
Total Amount: £1.59 5s od
Amount of grant: £26 0s 0d
Advanced for aid of rates for relief –purposes and fever hospital.
The sum of £26 was advanced for the Athenry hospital including the electoral division numbered 2 and 4: Athenry = 2 and Cloonkeen = 4
British Parliamentary Papers
Feb. 17, 1846.
Loughrea dispensary: H. Clovan M.D,
Nature of report States that Monivea dispensary is the only one in the barony of Tiaquin, and that he attends on the property of subscribers when called on, although nine miles from the institution. States that between Jan 1 & 17, 1846 there was an increase of 308 patients in the dispensary compared with the corresponding period of 1845, which he attributes to heavy rains, want of food, and bad clothing. He suggests the erection of a general hospital to be attached to the dispensary.
Feb. 19, 1846.
Return Medical, Officer Monivea dispensary: B French
He states that Monivea Dispensary is the only one in the Barony of Tiaquin, and that he attends on the property when called on, although nine miles from the institution.
FAMINE RELIEF COMMISSION PAPERS – ARAN and ATHENRY BARONIES
To: Sir John Burke Bt Vice-Lieut.
Raheen,
Athenry,
3rd Nov, 1846.
Dear Sir John,
I forwarded to you to Kingstown on the 27 Oct M. Daly’s letter to me, with the paper nominating the Chairman and Secretaries to Athenry Relief Committee, which I hope you have seen as it will be necessary to form a new committee under the late instructions in order that lists may be forwarded to Captain Ainslie containing the names of destitute persons to be employed on the public works, which cannot be done until the Committee is formed, the former one being now virtually dissolved.
Waiting your directions on the subject.
I remain,
Yours faithfully,
John Lobdell
Answer
4-11-46
Sir,
C.G Sir R.J.R. having received from the Vice-Lieutenant of the Co Galway your letter of the 3rd inst – we forward for your information a copy of the additional instructions to the Relief Committees, which do not require any new organisation as you suppose but enable Bishops and Curates to sit ex officio as members: also the Commissioners of Public Works.
C.G Commissary General
Sir RJR – Sir Randolph J. Routh
RELIEF COMMISSION PAPERS – Nos; 8007/8893
Relief Committee Athenry, 9th Dec. 1846.
Sir,
I have been directed by the Athenry Relief Committee to ascertain from you on what terms and conditions the assistance from the Government will be afforded in and of the Relief fund now in collection in this district.
The subscription list remains open until Monday next.
Waiting for your reply.
I have the honour to be Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Henry Mackay.
(Secretary)
To Sir Randolph Routh,
Commissiniat General,
Castle,
Dublin.
10/12/146
In reply to your inquiry, I am directed to draw the attention of the Athenry Relief Committee to the 25, 26 & 27 of the enclosed instructions, as pointing out the manner in which a donation is to be obtained from in aid of local subscriptions.
Dove 10/12.
16/1 2/1846
Sir,
As it appears that you have addressed a letter to Sir Thomas Burke Bart Vice -Lieutenant of the Co. Galway, urging the immediate appointment of a Relief Committee for Athenry.
Commissioners Gentleman Sir R,J.R desires to acquaint you that a committee has been already formed, at which Mr. Lopdell of Raheen is Chairman, and Henry IVjackey is Secretary.
The Relief District includes the whole Parish in the Baronies of Athenry, Ola re, and Dunkellin.
I leave you,
The Rev. Dr. Cullinane
Athenry.
Athenry Jan 25, 1847
Sir,
The Relief Committee of Athenry hereby acknowledge receipt of your form of 21st January and pledge themselves on receiving your donation of £62 starting from his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant for relief of poor from our district that the whole relief will be applied in conformity with Government regulations
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
R.W Maxwell.
To: Mr. Stanley, Esq.,
Relief Office,
Dublin Castle
25 Rathmines Mall,
Feb. 4, 1847
Sir,
I have been directed by the Relief Committee to apply to you for the donation of £62 which Commissary General Sir Randolph Routh has recommended to his excellency, the Lord Lieutenant to grant to that Committee.
As I shall be absent from home for some time your answer directed to Mr. Joseph Barrett, Athenry, who acts as Treasurer in my absence, will be laid before the Committee and should you make a remittance will you have the kindness to make the Post Bills payable to him. I am responsible for the use he may make of same.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Mark Perrin.
Treasurer to Athenry Rural Committee
To: William Stanley Esq
Mr Barrett is recognised by the Committee as their acting Treasurer.
Answer to above letter
Athenry donation authorised to be paid from Galway
22 Jan 1847
Sir,
Will you have the goodness to direct Mr. Barrett, who acts in your absence at Athenry as stated in your letter received yesterday, to apply by letter to Galway for the grant made to your Relief Committee.
To: The Revd.Mark Perrins,
Relief Committee Athenry,
Feb. 4, 1847.
Sir,
I am directed by the Relief Committee to inform Commissary General Sir R. J. Routh that they would thankfully receive a boiler of 60 gallons as they are about to begin to make soup for the starving people of much distress.
The nearest seaport is Galway.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
P W Maxwell
Sec.
To: W. Stanley Esq., Sec.,
Parish Relief Office,
Dublin Castle,
Athenry.
Feb. 6th, 1847.
Sir,
Considering that we have a population of 5000 souls including a town of 1400, would you be so good as to recommend of Athenry Relief Committee to Commissary General Sir R Routh for a gift of two large boilers instead of only one applied for in my letter of Feb.4th. 800 quarts of soup daily will by no means meet the wants of our people.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
R.W Maxwell.
Sec to Athenry Relief Committee
47 Lower London,
March 15, 1847.
Dear Sir,
I have to acknowledge with thanks and gratitude the receipt of twenty five pounds (£25) from the Irish Society of London per Sir Randolph Routh for the relief of my suffering poor.
May God help them.
I have been informed when in Dublin by Sir Randolph Routh that the Lord Lieutenannt will give me an equivalent sum (£25). Please to forward it to me directly as follows:
The Very Revd. Doctor Smith,
Care of Mr. Howard,
47 Lower Brand (Brook) St.,
London.
I am, dearest Sir,
With much respect,
Your obedient servant,
Peter Smyth D.D
(The Very Revd. Dr. Smyth, Esker Convent, Athenry)
P.S: Please to give my very respectful compliments to good Sir Randolph Routh.
God Bless.
A grant of £25 w as recommended.
Note: The Rev. Dr. Smyth is at present draining the waste lands around him and building an Agricultural College for the benefit of Ireland.
Note extra: There are at present 600 children receiving a liberal and religious education and 26 of the boys apprenticed to the tailoring and shoemaking trades.
For the girls there is a matron who instructs them in the making up of every article of dress suiting to all classes of society. There are also fifty of the poor children clothed anually and 200 destitute paupers daily fed at this establishment. There are no funds or means to carry on this work of mercy but for the benevolence of the public.
MINUTE BOOK OF LOUGHREA UNION
Saturday, May 27th, 1848
The following letter was read from the Relieving Officer of Athenry District.
Gentlemen,
I beg leave to inform you that I commenced the issue of cooked food to persons receiving outdoor relief in the Electoral Division of Kilconirane and Craughwell in my district on Monday, the 22nd inst.
Owing to some difficulty experienced in obtaining a house in the division of Athenry, I could not commence the issue of cooked food in that division until next week.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
William Procter.
The following letter was also read:
Monivea,
May 23rd, 1848.
Gentlemen,
You will please pardon my again calling your attention to the wretched state of some poor families near here who have been affected with fever. I would merely name those on the Athenry road, Tyrrells and Fallons who I just visited and found literally sinking for want of nutriment in their convalences.
I never witnessed many such eases and many families have perished in this way. Surely with the rapid increase of epidemic disease, which is likely to continue during this season, something should be done for their relief.
We called the attention of the proper authorities to this subject, then our Relief Committee and afterwards the Board of Health, but have been unsuccessful in obtaining any relief.
I am gentlemen,
Respectfully yours,
Dr. French.
Medical Officer, Monivea
It was ordered by the Vice Guardians
The Vice Guardians are not prepared to open a hospital in Monivea but consider that a temporary hospital at Athenry would meet the wants of Cloonkeen District. The Vice Guardians will open a hospital at Athenry as soon as they can procure fitting accommodation.
Volume III – British Parliamentary Papers
Major M’Kie to the Commissioners
March 31, 1848.
I have to honour to forward returns of rates due by immediate lessors and occupiers rated at a valuation of 1.01 and above in the electoral divisions of Claregalway, Annaghdown, Lackagh and Athenry.
The cause of non-collection is stated in each case; some of the road contractors and others have promised to pay after assizes, but there are many who will not pay until compelled, and the collector asserts that the presence of the military is absolutely necessary. The resident magistrates have been prevented from attending with the military in consequence of the assizes: but as they have now terminated, I hope no further delay will take place.
Sir T. Burke to Mr. Lloyd.
May 6, 1848.
I have repeatedly called for the printed lists of the recipients of out-door relief in the electoral divisions of the Loughrea Union. I have not yet been able to obtain more than those for Loughrea, Athenry, and Ballinakill. I am, therefore, obliged to call upon you to postpone this inquiry till I am furnished with those lists. Numerous abuses have been already proved; and if you continue to desire a continuance of the inquiry this required postponement becomes unavoidably necessary, the more so as those lists have been unavoidably delayed.
Mr. Lloyd to the Commissioners,
May 20, 1848.
William Proctor, relieving officer for 1he Athenry district, comprising the electoral divisions of Athenry, Cranghwell, and Kilconaran, was duly sworn. His evidence is appended. Eight objections were made to this relieving officer’s list for Athenry.
Number and Name
1 Winny Boyns – Age 40 able bodied -7 lbs
2 Margaret gahillon – and 4 children – 28lbs. Deserted by husband, information sworn.
3 Michael Cannon -Age 36, wife and 4 children -28 lbs
4 Robin Newman – Aged 50 and wife, In. – 14 lbs
5 Margaret Lawless – Aged 60, In, -7 lbs. Has a son able to maintain her
6 Brid Gleeson – Aged35 and 3 children -11lbs. Deserted, information sworn.
7 Winny Cunningham – Aged 80 -7lbs. Has more than a quarter acre of land.
8 Mary Mulkearan – Aged 50 and 2 children -21lbs. Has half an acre of land
Of the above list, two objections 7 and 8, can be sustained, and it was not until lately the relieving officer learned that either of the women had land. The relieving officer, William Proctor, has submitted his books for examination to the ratepayers. Out of a list of 430 recipients of relief, four only have been found disentitled to such.
Complaint:
The paid Guardians are totally ignorant of the parties to whom they are giving out-door relief, and the most, flagrant o^-vUtS £buees are the consequence; yet they studiously avoid seeking information from any of the respectable rate-payers, nor do they publish j;he names of the recipients of such relief. / William Proctor, relieving officer for the Athenry district, comprising the electoral divisions of Athenry, ^ranghwell and Kilconaron, being duly sworn saith – that 1. Winny Rogers, aged 40 years, able bodied, recieves 7 lbs Indian meal weekly 2. Margaret Cahillon deserted by her husband, 28 lbs, for self and four children, has sworn information against her husband. % Michael Cannon, aged 36, wife and four children, receives 28 lbsr I brought this family to the workhouse, because the family were sick and ftie man infirm. 4. Robin Newman, aged 50, and wife receive 14 lbs, weekly refused to come to the workhouse relief; Vice Guardians considered him infirm, and from hisvappearance I think him infirm. I would not feed him for his work. 5. Aargaret lawless, aged 60 receives 71bs meal weekly, refused a ticket for the workhouse until she came before the Guardians, when she was placed upon out-door relief; has a son enabled to maintain her. 6. Bridget Gleeeon, aged 35, deserted by her husband an able bodied man, engaged by a man, named Healy, at 1s. per week: and his diet: receives 8 lbs of meal weekly for self and three children: Vice-Guardians directed me to give her provisional relief, and flet her to lodge informations against her husband which she did. 7. winny Cunningham, aged 80 years, receives 71bs meal weekly, has more than a quarter acre of land; ^ did not know she had land until G;ood Friday. 8. Mary Mulkeeran, aged 50, infirm, receives for self and two children 21 lbs, meal weekly; was lately lessened; she holds half an acre of land:
The Vice Guardians have gone to Athenry to adjudicate upon the cases I submitted to them. The vice Guardians have taken means to ascertain the proper cases to be relieved; not feeing satisfied with my representations they have inquired from rate-payers and others in Athenry, but not in the other electoral divisions in my district to my knowledge; they could have made inquiries without my knowledge. I do not know of women with illegitimate children receiving out-door relief, with the exception of one instance, the person being sick. I have submitted my books “b the ratepayers of Athenry for examination of one of them, in the presence of the others. ± think Mr. Loughnane, expressed his approval of them andAiadded that there was not sufficient number of persons upon his list. as received recommendations from several rate-payers to give out-door relief to persons who, upon inquiry, I found not entitled to it.
Wm. Proctor
Sworn and acknowledged before me, at the Loughrea Union Workhouse, being first duly read, 28th April 1848.
Owen Lloyd.
Poor Law Inspector.
Thomas Lally, bailiff to James Barret of Athenry, being duly sworn, saith that James Meyrick did not give up his land, nor offered to give it up to him.
William Proctor being duly sworn, saith – I am relieving officer for No. 2 District, comprising the electoral Division of Athenry, Cranghwell, and Kilconiron, in the Union of loughrea. j.1 live in the centre of the district as nearly as possible. I have visited the house of every person who had a permanent residence and the lodging of others who are in receipt of outdoor relief that is not entitled thereto, and there are very many in a destitute state, so far as not having provisions, who must very soon part with their land to be entitled to relief. In the Athenry electoral division, 430 are at present receiving out-door relief, and this number must increase to 1,000 before long, unless some employment be provided for them. n the Cranghwell electoral division 70 persons are relieved and this number, unless as stated before, will increase to 200 at the least; and in Kilconiron electoral division there a re 68 on the list, that must increase to 200, unless the people are employed; there is a probability of work being carried inihis division. There is an average crop of wheat, but not much oats, fotatoes are very extensicely planted. In none of the three divisions have the small holders of land the quantity of cattle they used to have, not are they in the same condition, as they could not purchase hay to feed them last winter. I was clerk and store keeper to the Kilconiron Selief Committee last year, and over 400 persons were daily fed, many of whom were in possession of both cattle and land, ^couplers of not more than five teres of land were permitted by the committee to receive relief, and those who had a cow or sheep had a reduction made from their rations* I have discovered persons receiving relief last year, who had more than five acres of land, more than one cow, a horse and ccart, and in employment. There willte less imposition this year if relieving officers are honest, th/ough many of the small landholders will give up their land to get relief, if they do not get employment. There are also many who will struggle at the risk of their lives to hold what they have, rather than part with it to go into the workhouse.
Wm Proctor, Relieving Officer. Sworn and acknowledged before me at Loughrea this 9th of May, 1848.
Owen Lloyd,
Poor Law Inspector.
REPORT OP THE COMMISSIONERS’ OF PUBLIC WORKS – 1861-’62
Land Improvement Acts. (Loans in progress and applied for etc.)
Barony Athenry-John Lopdell applied for £250, was granted it and got an instalment of £50 on March 28 1862.
