It is a cause of great regret that admittance and discharge registers for the Clare workhouses have not come down to us. A report of a meeting of the Kilrush Board of Guardians ("Clare Freeman", Saturday 3 August 1861) gives us the names of five female inmates. All five women were enabled to leave the workhouse after receipt from the Guardians of a clothing allowance.
"The Master reported the names of several inmates who were willing to leave the house if they were allowed clothes.
The Board made the following order:
Mary McMahon, age 25, admitted on Killard, June 25th 1854: allowed 7 shillings.
Mary Donohue, age 28, admitted on Kilrush, July 28th 1860, and her son, Michael, born in workhouse, September 2nd, 1860: allowed 10 shillings.
Biddy Gorman, aged 35, admitted on Kilrush January 6th 1861, and for her infant son born in the workhouse on the 10th February, 1861: allowed 3 shillings.
Mary Boland, aged 30, admitted on Kilkee, January 27th 1861, and for her infant son, born in the workhouse, July 3rd, 1861: allowed 3 shillings.
Mary Sullivan, chargeable to Kilrush, is in the workhouse for the last seven years: allowed 8 shillings."
Polycarp
Five female inmates of Kilrush workhouse, 1861
Moderators: Clare Support, Clare Past Mod