Ireland Reports
 

This page relates to Reports of the Poor Law Commissioners.

1839
1840

5th Report of the Poor Law Commissioners 1839
For England and Wales with 4 Appendices pp 001-220
Submitted by Alan Longbottom

Report pp 001-070
App A pp 071-090
App B pp 091-144
App C pp 145-174
App D pp 175-220 Tabular Statements
No 6 Statement of Numbers of Emigrants

No 7 Unions Formed in Ireland 
Union Pop 1831 Counties Declared
1 Limerick 140,072 Lim & Clare 20th Dec 38
2 Belfast 80,512 Ant & Down 21st Dec 38
3 Rathkeale 67,373 Lim 27th Dec 38
4 Newcastle 51,650 Lim 28th Dec 38
5 Lisburn 71,308 Ant & Down 8th Jan 39
6 Bruff 66,979 Lim 9th Jan 39
7 Lurgan 62,259 Arm, Ant,Down 16th Jan 39
8 Londonderry 65,326 Lon & Donegal 17th Jan 39
9 Kinsale 41,929 Cork 30th Jan 39
10 Tipperary 70,853 Tipp & Lim 30th Jan 39
11 Cashel 60,939 Tipp 30th Jan 39
12 Skibbereen 94,736 Cork 31st Jan 39
13 Celbridge 26,197 Kild, Dub & Wick31st Jan 39
14 Clogheen 40,935 Tipp & Lim 2nd Feb 39
15 Neenagh 89,891 Tipp 9th Feb 39
16 Naas 50,512 Kild, Dub & Wick12th Feb 39
17 Bandon 81,533 Cork 12th Feb 39
18 Midleton 73,878 Cork 16th Feb 39
19 Bainbridge 81,780 Down & Arm 22nd Feb 39
20 Fermoy 85,005 Cork 23rd Feb 39
21 Mallow 76,583 Cork 5th Mar 39
22 Clonmell 37.094 Tipp & Wat 18th Mar 39

Unions for which the Arrangements preliminary to Declaration were complete on 25th March 1839.

23 Callan
24 Thurles
25 Dungarvan
26 Lismore
27 Dunshaughlin
28 Balrothery
29 Cork
30 Athlone
31 Strabane
32 Waterford
33 Armagh
34 Newry
35 Longford
36 Trim
37 Edenderry
38 Roscrea
39 Parsonstown
40 Carrick on Suir

Some of these were changed by the next years report

6th Report of the Poor Law Commissioners 1840
England and Wales plus Ireland pp 1-486

Submitted by Alan Longbottom

Appendix C pp 202-275 
No 1 Amended Order and Instructions for the Election of
Guardians in Ireland 1841

No 2 Further Circular of Instructions on Valuation and Rating under the Irish Poor Relief Act 1-2 Vict c 56

No 3 Order for Regulating the Workhouse, and for Keeping and Auditing Accounts.

No 4 Form of Bond for the Clerk to a Board of Guardians and his Sureties.

No 5 Form of Bond for the Treasurer to a Union and his Sureties.

No 6 Form of Contract for Making a Valuation

No 7 Form of Bond for a Valuator and his Sureties.

No 8 Form of Bond for the Master of a Workhouse and his Sureties.

No 9 Form of Bond for a Matron of a Workhouse and her Sureties.

No 10 Form of Order for the Appointment of Collectors of Poor Rates.

No 11 Form of Bond for Collectors of Poor Rates.

No 12 Forms used in Obtaining Money for the Purpose of providing a Workhouse for a Union.

App D pp 276-424
No 1 Report Proposing the City of Dublin Unions by Richard Earle esq late Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.

p 280 Forming the best estimate in my power which the subject admits of, from the foregoing considerations, I have come
to the conclusion that the Commissioners should render the House of Industry fit for the reception of 2,000 persons from the North Dublin Union, and that the following proportions should be assumed for their
classification :-
1 - Aged and infirm males 250
2 - Able bodied and partially infirm males 200
3 - Boys 350
4 - Aged and infirm females 350
5 - Able bodied and partially infirm females 300
6 - Girls 350
7 - Sick in Hospitals and violent lunatics in cells 200
Total 2,000

But the power which the Commissioner possess of compelling future additions should be reserved, especially in the case of the South Dublin Union, in which the population is the most nemerous. Before
any provision, however, is determined for an increased number of paupers in either Union, it might be well to consider whether it should be by additions to the two
buildings, or by the erection of a detached building in each Union for the children. This latter plan has its disadvantages ans well as advantages, and I merely make
the suggestion, in order that it may be considered by the Commissioners. By one means or another I recommend that the Commissioners should ensure the means of giving relief to 5,000 in the two Unions.

No 2 Report on the House of Industry and the Foundling Hospital, Dublin by Richard Earle, esq late Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.

No 3 Report on the Dublin House of Industry by Richard Hall esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.

p 298 List of Officers of the House of Industry.
Governor Maj T H Edgeworth 400
Registrar & Accountant George Alley 200
Steward & Providore Josh & Mary Mullen 200-3-0
Supdt of Clothing etc Robert R Darke 88
Protestant Chaplain Rev A S Adamson 73-17-0
RC Chaplain Rev A B Delany 73-17-0
Physician Hugh Ferguson 100
Physician John Crampton 100
Physician Thomas H Arpen 60
Physician Samuel Litton 60
Surgeon R M Piele nil
Surgeon R Carmichael nil
Surgeon Edward Hutton nil
Surgeon James O'Beirne nil
Surgeon John Macdonnell nil
Surgeon Robert Adams nil
Chief Apothecary John Carey 60
Assistant Apothecary Robert Beatty 40
Matron Hospitals Emily Sibthorpe 70-3-0
Sub Matron Julia Halpin 36
Medical Inspector George Green 46-3-0
Medical Inspector R W Smith 46-3-0
Male Supdt of Lunatics Eyre E C Kenny 67-1-8
Female Supdt of Lunatics Esther Walsh 40
Housekeeper C A Douglas 72-17-0
Supdt's of Works P & A Caldow nil

No 4 Report on the Dublin Foundling Hospital by Richard Hall esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.

No 5 Minute to the Board relative to the Conversion of Island Bridge Barracks, Dublin into a Lunatic Asylum
Dated 16th Sept 1839.

No 6 Report on the Proposed Cork Union by Wm J Voules esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.

No 7 Extract from Report to the Poor Law Commissioners on the Cork Foundling Hospital by Wm J Voules esq Assistant 
Poor Law Commissioner.Dated 27th September 1838

No 8 Extract from a 2nd Report on the Cork Foundling Hospital by Wm J Voules esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.
dated 30th November 1839.

No 9 Third Report relative to the Cork Foundling Hospital By Wm J Voules, esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.
dated January 20th 1840

No 10 Correspondence with the Governors of the Cork Foundling Hospital. Dated 23rd Janaury 1840.

No 11 Report on the Proposed Londonderry Union by Hon Chas S Clements Assistant Poor Law Commissioner. 3rd Jan 1839

No 12 Report on the Proposed Kilkenny Union by John O'Donoghue esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.Dated 4th June 1839

No 13 Report on the Formation of the Sligo Union by Wm John Hancock esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.22nd Jun 1839

No 14 Report on the Proposed Rathdown Union by M Muggeridge esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner. 11th July 1839

No 15 Report on the Formation of the Cootehill Union by C G Otway esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.
Dated 26th July 1839.

No 16 Report on the Formation of the Newtown Ards Union by Edward Gulson esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.
Dated 9th August 1839.

No 17 Report on the Formation of the Ballinrobe Union by Joseph Burke esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.
Dated 18th October 1839

No 18 Report on Proposing the Navan Union by Denis Phelan esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.25th May 1839

No 19 Report on the Formation of the Tralee Union by W H T Hawley esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.
Dated 8th February 1840.

No 20 Report on the Progress of Workhouses in Ireland by George Wilkinson Esq, Architect to the Commission
Dated Dublin 25th March 1840
p 394-5 Names of Unions and the Contractors.

No 21 Report on Workhouse Dietaries by Richard Hall esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner. 20th March 1840

No 21 Report on Workhouse Dietaries by Richard Hall esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner. 20th March 1840
pp 399-406
p 404 Table of Dietaries at 22 public establishments
Limerick House of Industry
Limerick Mendicity Society
Limerick County Gaol
Ennis House of Industry
Ennis County Gaol
Longford Gaol
Roscommon Gaol
Sligo Gaol
Mayo Gaol
Galway Gaol
Town of Galway Gaol
Parsonstown Bridewell
Waterford House of Industry
Clonmel House of Industry
Maryborough Gaol
Wexford House of Industry
Wexford County Gaol
Athy Gaol
Naas County Gaol
Baltinglass Bridewell
Carlow County Gaol
Wicklow Gaol

Dinner was as high as 4.75lbs potatoes and pint of sour milk at Limerick County Gaol.

Wicklow Gaol provided a total of 9 lbs potatoes 1 quart milk daily, except Sunday when 2 lbs whole meal bread is substituted.

Only Waterford and Clonmel Houses of Industry provided any Supper. 

Appendix E Tables and Returns pp 425-486

No 22 Report on Workhouse Dietaries by W H T Hawley esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner. 24th Dec 1839

No 23 Inquiry into Medical Charities - Letter from Denis Phelan M.D. Assistant Poor Law Commissioner.
Dated 4th February 1840

No 24 Suppression of Mendicancy - Resolutions of Unions in favour of.

No 25 Suppression of Mendicancy - Correspondence with certain Unions thereon.
South Dublin Union
Celbridge Union
Tullamore Union

No 26 Publicity of the Meetings of Boards of Guardians
Letter to the Guardians of the Tuam Union on the Admission of Reporters. Dated 25th January 1840.

Appendix E Tables and Returns pp 425-486
IRELAND

No 7 List of the Unions declared in Ireland from the 25th March 1839 to 25th March 1840  In continuation of the List in 5th Report App D 7

No 8 Statement showing the Electoral Divisions of Unions Declared in Ireland from 25th March 1839 to 25th March 1840 in continuation of the List in the 5th
Report App D 7

23 Callan 42,707 Kilk & Tipp 27 Mar 39
24 Thurles 64,237 Tipp 28 Mar 39
25 Dungarvan 57,634 Waterford 28 Mar 39
26 Lismore 34,382 Waterford 30 Mar 39
27 Dunshaughlin 22,240 Meath & Dublin 1 Apr 39
28 Balrothery 28,124 Dublin 1 Apr 39
29 Cork 158,339 Cork 3 Apr 39
30 Athlone 73,052 Rosc & WMeath 3 Apr 39
31 Strabane 62,084 Tyr & Donegal 8 Apr 39
32 Waterford 79,694 Waterfd & Kilk 20 Apr 39
33 Armagh 107,145 Arm & Tyr 25 Apr 39
34 Newry 88,181 Down & Arm 3 May 39
35 Edenderry 35,536 Kings,Kild,Mea 7 May 39
36 Gortin 17,315 Tyrone 7 May 39
37 Castle Derg 21,295 Tyrone 7 May 39
38 Roscrea 64,374 Tipp, King, Qns 8 May 39
39 Parsonstown 71,138 Kings, Tipp 8 May 39
40 Omagh 66,388 Tyrone 9 May 39
41 Longford 85,152 Longfd & Rosc 13 May 39
42 Trim 31,758 Meath & Kild 22 May 39
43 Galway 81,129 Galway 22 May 39
44 Carrick on Suir 40,259 Tipp, Wat, Kilk 25 May 39
45 Ballinasloe 97,581 Galway & Rosc 6 Jun 39
46 North Dublin 125,245 Dublin 6 Jun 39
47 South Dublin 182,767 Dublin 6 Jun 39
48 Dundalk 63,911 Louth, Arm,Mon 18 Jun 39
49 Drogheda 49,681 Louth & Meath 18 Jun 39
50 Navan 34,482 Meath 25 Jun 39
51 Ennis 71,807 Clare 27 Jun 39
52 Kilkenny 115,074 Kilkenny 1 Jul 39
53 Kells 40,497 Meath, Cav, WM 8 Jul 39
54 Shillelagh 31,596 Wicklow,CArlow 12 Jul 39
55 Sligo 109,561 Sligo 17 Jul 39
56 Dungannon 66,075 Tyrone 20 Jul 39
57 Kilrush 70,676 Clare 23 Jul 39
58 Scariff 47,894 Clare, Galway 25 Jul 39
59 Kilkeel 26,833 Down 29 Jul 39
60 Ennistymon 49,637 Clare 3 Aug 39
61 Rathdown 39,933 Dublin, Wicklow 8 Aug 39
62 Cootehill 63,472 Cavan, Mon 10 Aug 39
63 Gort 38,342 Galway & Clare 20 Aug 39
64 Boyle 65,562 Rosc,Mayo,Sligo 20 Aug 39
65 Ardee 42,035 Louth & Meath 21 Aug 39
66 Cookstown 44,624 Tyrone 22 Aug 39
67 Carrick on Shannon 66,858 Leitrin, Rosc 24 Aug 39
68 Manor Hamilton 40,742 Leitrim 30 Aug 39
69 Newtown Ards 53,873 Down 3 Sep 39
70 Mohill 63,715 Leitrim 5 Sep 39
71 Loughrea 61,747 Galway 5 Sep 39
72 Roscommon 80,608 Rosc & Galway 13 Sep 39
73 Castlerea 85,895 Rosc,Mayo,Galway14 Sep 39
74 Tullamore 52,852 Kings, WMeath 16 Sep 39
75 Tuam 74,155 Galway 19 Sep 39
76 Newtown Limvady 41,031 Lond 21 Sep 39
77 Rathdrum 51,689 Wicklow 25 Sep 39
78 Mullingar 68,102 Westmeath 22 Oct 39
79 Monaghan 69,137 Monaghan 4 Nov 39
80 Carrickmacross 36,927 Monaghan 5 Nov 39
81 Ballinrobe 74,842 Mayo & Galway 7 Nov 39
82 Castleblaney 56,505 Mon & Armagh 8 Nov 39
83 Castlebar 58,001 Mayo 9 Nov 39
84 Baillieborough 41,414 Cavan & Meath 20 Nov 39
85 Baltinglass 39,646 Wickl,Dub,Kild 21 Nov 39
86 Magherafeldt 74,542 Lond 25 Nov 39
87 Cavan 82,694 Cavan 27 Nov 39
88 Coleraine 50,940 Lond & Antrim 28 Nov 39
89 Abbeyleix 35,597 Queen, Kilk 3 Dec 39
90 Mountmelick 63,601 Queens, Kings 7 Dec 39
91 Gorey 36,083 Wexford 14 Dec 39
92 Dunmanway 30,138 Cork 18 Dec 39
93 Macroom 53,166 Cork 20 Dec 39
94 Kanturk 71,844 Cork, Kerry 21 Dec 39
95 Downpatrick 80,642 Down 3 Jan 40
96 Oldcastle 44,221 Meath,WMeath,Cav 6 Jan 40
97 Ballymoney 51,869 Ant, Lond 18 Jan 40
98 Enniscorthy 57,735 Wexford, Carlow 22 Jan 40
99 Clones 36,569 Mon, Fermanagh 8 Feb 40
100 New Ross 67,944 Wex,Kilk,Carlow 23 Mar 40 
Total 4,758,872

Sample 
84 Bailieborough - Cavan and Meath
In Cavan Guardians
1 Bailieborough 5,338 3
2 Skeagh 4,708 2
3 Termon 4,595 2
4 Shercock 4,568 2
5 Kingscourt 6,735 3
In Meath
6 Newcastle 1,744 1
7 Ardagh 3,109 1
8 Moybolgue 2,817 1
9 Tulyarran 2,418 1
In Cavan 
10 Crossbane 2,785 1
11 Killenkere 2,597 1
Totals 41,414 18 Plus 4 Ex Officio

No 9 Statement of Alterations which have been made in Unions declared previously to 25th March 1839.

No 10 A Return of Progress made in the Unions formed under the Irish Poor Relief Act up to 25th March 1840
Listed Numbers 1 to 99 


No 21 Report on Workhouse Dietaries by Richard Hall esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner. 20th March 1840
pp 399-406
p 404 Table of Dietaries at 22 public establishments
Limerick House of Industry
Limerick Mendicity Society
Limerick County Gaol
Ennis House of Industry
Ennis County Gaol
Longford Gaol
Roscommon Gaol
Sligo Gaol
Mayo Gaol
Galway Gaol
Town of Galway Gaol
Parsonstown Bridewell
Waterford House of Industry
Clonmel House of Industry
Maryborough Gaol
Wexford House of Industry
Wexford County Gaol
Athy Gaol
Naas County Gaol
Baltinglass Bridewell
Carlow County Gaol
Wicklow Gaol

Dinner was as high as 4.75lbs potatoes and pint of sour milk at Limerick County Gaol.

Wicklow Gaol provided a total of 9 lbs potatoes 1 quart milk daily, except Sunday when 2 lbs whole meal bread is substituted.

Only Waterford and Clonmel Houses of Industry provided any Supper. 

Appendix E Tables and Returns pp 425-486

Page updated August 06, 2007 by Rossbret