Gleanings From the West by Lord Osborne, 1850 (famine book)

[smcarberry]

A Google book by this English Protestant aristocrat provides first-hand accounts of the workhouses and details of famine deaths in 1849-50 in counties in the West of Ireland. There are several inquests of Clare residents reported, followed by very trenchant comments on how the situation had deteriorated. A short summary of the inquest reports is given below.

Gleanings in the West of Ireland
by Lord Sidney Godolphin Osborne, 1850
http://tiny.cc/ruzEV

p. 156 Death of William Moore, Coolan resident on land of Thomas Miskill, 1849
daughter: Biddy Moore, Kilfiddane
brother of landlord: Daniel Miskill
neighbors: Thady Doody, Thomas Nikil, Widow Connors, Mike Hoolahan
Widow Lyons, Stone Park resident

p. 160 Cox man, May 1849 death
former lodger of McMahon on Westropp land
Westropp's agent Moloney knocked down McMahon's house
McMahon's daughter Biddy, age 13, died, as did McMahon's wife
son Thomas Cox, age 6, died , as did an infant

p. 162 Michael Clancey, age about 60, Knockbrack resident, died 28 Jan 1849
daughter: Ellen Clancey
decedent rented from Gilbert O'Dea
sister-in-law: Bridget Eustice

p. 164 James Breene, Kilmichael resident, d. 16 Jan
Thomas Calligan, Bleanmore resident, witness at inquest
Thomas Carmody, witness
Tim Connell, assisted deceased man
Nancy Stretton, witness; son: Pat Stretton

p. 166 Michael Molony, resident of Lack, Kilmichael, d. 31 Jan
wife: Mary
neighbor or acquaintance: Andy Glynn

p. 168 Patt Collins
wife: Norry, residing Ballybrought, Kilmurray
Joanna Bateman, Burrane resident, witness
Simon Daley, witness

p. 170 Tim Spellacy, age about 60, d. 9 Mar at Paradise, Kilchreest
Patt Reilly, witness
neighbors: James and Thomas Healy, Tim Cleary

p. 172 Edmond Kelly, age about 50, d. 10 Mar
son: Edmond
Martin Coffee, witness

p. 173 Michael Scanlon, Shanahea resident, d. 22 May 1850
wife: Mary

p. 174 Patt Cahill, age about 30, d. 11 May 1850
mother-in-law in America sent money, kept by wife
Mary Halloran, assisted the deceased
Patt Halpin, provided some shelter but also charged with manslaughter (charge described on p. 25)

p. 176 Bryan McMahon, aged 7 or 8, d. 21 Jan
mother: Mary
family resided at Tullybrack as Westby tenants until 2 years ago
Patt O'Connor, former Tullybrack resident, witness
John McDonnell, current Ballycra [sic, Ballyea ?] resident

p. 180 Martin Clancy
sisters: Mary and Biddy Clancy
Michael Donealy, Rosshill resident

p. 181 Thomas Cusack, Ballynacally resident, d. May 1850
wife: Nancy
Mary Rourke, Dromquim [sic] resdient, witness; husband: Thomas
Peg Kerin, Dromquim resident

p. 182 John Garvey d. April
Kate Sheehan, witness
Michael O'Brien, Ross Hill resident