Many parishes in Clare reacted by setting up a Distress Committee, or a Relief Fund. Tulla was one such parish. The Clare Journal, Thur 19 December, reported, in full, a speech made at a meeting of the Board of Guardians of Tulla Union, by Mr. Daniel O’Connell (one of the Guardians), in which he drew attention to the distress among the poor and proposed that the Government be requested to intervene and to provide public works. Most of the guardians agreed and they considered that a useful public works project would be drainage of land. Mr. Singleton thought the application for public works was “rather premature,” but Mr. O’Connell said, “I hold in my hand a list of forty persons – and I will read them for you if you wish – who are in a state of utter destitution in my own division; and the first on the list is a man who lost his son in the Crimea.” At the end of the discussion, a committee was appointed to draw up a memorial to the Government, urging them to take immediate steps to save the people from starvation.
The Clare Journal, Mon 30 Dec 1861, reported that a Tulla Relief Committee had been set up, but I think this was a parish committee and not a sub-committee of the Tulla Union Board of Guardians:
The Clare Journal, Mon 30 Dec 1861, published a list of people who had subscribed:Tulla Relief Committee. At a meeting held at the Courthouse, Tulla, on Thursday, the 19th December, 1861. Moved by Rev. Mr. Bowles, P.P., and seconded by Maurice O’Connell, Esq.: “That Henry Spaight, Esq., J.P., do take the Chair.”
Proposed by Daniel O’Connell, Esq., and seconded by Rev. Mr. Walsh: “That Rev. Mr. Fitzgerald, R.C.C. and Dr. Nihill be appointed Secretaries.”
Proposed by the Very Rev. Mr. Bowles and seconded by Maurice O’Connell, Esq., J.P.: “That, aware of the wretched condition of the poor of this locality, particularly as regards food and fuel, we deem it our imperative duty to use every means in our power to alleviate their distress; and, for this purpose, we resolve to open a Subscription List, and to solicit the Subscriptions of the resident and non-resident Gentry, Farmers, Shopkeepers, and others connected with this district.”
Proposed by Mr. Pat Riedy and seconded by Mr. Thomas White: “That the Secretaries be requested to send a copy of the foregoing Resolution to each Landlord, &c, connected with this district, and that they report at an adjourned meeting, to be held this day-week, the result of their application.”
Proposed by Rev. Mr. Fitzgerald, and seconded by Rev. Mr. Walsh: “That Mr. Spaight do leave the Chair, and that Daniel O’Connell, Esq., be moved thereto.”
H. Spaight, Chairman.
Proposed by Very Rev. Mr. Bowles, and seconded by acclamation: “That the marked thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. Spaight for his dignified conduct in the Chair, and for his humane conduct on all occasions.”
Daniel O’Connell, Chairman. Secretaries: Rev. Robert Fitzgerald, Doctor Nihill.
The Clare Journal, Thur 9 Jan 1862, published a further list of subscribers:Relief Subscriptions to the Tulla Relief Fund: Mrs. Brown, Newgrove, £10; Henry Spaight, J.P., £5; Very Rev. James Bowles, P.P., £7; Rev. Philip Dwyer, Rector of Tulla, £1; Maurice O’Connell, J.P., £1; John O’Callaghan, J.P., £1; G.J. Hore, Esq., Ballynacurra, Limerick, £2; Dr. Stewart, Dalky, Dublin, £1; Robert Fitzgerald, R.C.C., £2; James Walsh, R.C.C., £2; John Nihill, M.D., £2; James Molony, M.D., £1; William Scanlan, Esq., P.L.G., £2; Pierce O’Brien, Esq., P.L.G., £1; Solomon Frost, Esq., £1; Patrick Hubbert, Esq., C.I., £1; William Watson, Esq., £1; Edmond Gore, Esq., £1; Richard Brew, Esq., £1; Peter Sinclair, Esq., £1; Thomas White, Esq., P.L.G., £1; Mrs. Creagh, Dangan, 10s; Mr. Thomas Hanly, 10s; Mr. Patrick Ready, 10s; Mr. John Hynes, 10s; Mr. Michael Molony, 10s; Mr. James Carr, 10s; Mr. Timothy Murphy, 10s; Mr. William Powell, 7s 6d; Mr. Michael Halvey, 5s; Mrs. Austin, 5s; Mrs. Brown, 5s; Mr. Denis McNamara, 5s; Mr. Pat Macmahon, 5s; Mr. Michael Danaher, 5s.
The Clare Journal, Thurs 9 Jan 1862: Tulla Relief Fund: £5 received from Captain Charles George O’Callaghan, of Ballynahinch.Lord Kenmare, £10; Mr. Wm. O’Brien, £1 10s; Chartres B. Molony, Esq., £1; Miss O’Brien, Tinahealy, Co. Wicklow, £1; Mr. Cornelius McGrath, 10s; Mr. Murdock, 10s; Mr. Wallace, 10s; Mr. M. Ryan, 5s; Wm. Kean, Esq., Ennis, 5s; Mr. Edward Kennedy, 5s; Mr. O’Brien, 5s; Mrs. Murphy, 5s; Miss Flynn, 5s; Edward Bunyard, Esq., Limerick, £1; Edmond Browne, Esq., £1; Mr. Dan Reddan, 10s; Mr. Michael Ryan, 7s; William Molony, Esq., Garruragh, 5s; Matthew Halloran, 5s; James Lyddy, 5s; Mr. Lynch, Agoon, 10s; John Conheady, 4s 6d; Thomas Clune, 3s 6d; Pat White, 3s 6d; John Blake, 2s 6d; Pat Conheady, 2s 6d. Secretaries: R. Fitzgerald, R.C.C., John Nihill, M.D.
The Clare Journal, Thur 20 Feb 1862:
The Clare Journal, Mon 24 Feb 1862, Tulla Relief Fund [the list below repeats all of the above subscribers and adds some more]:Tulla Relief Fund. The Tulla Relief Fund Committee have been affording relief to over three hundred families, or about twelve hundred persons, since the month of December, and they have distributed Indian meal to the poor of the parish, at half price. Their funds are nearly exhausted, and they appeal with confidence to the liberality of the landlords, and others connected with the parish, who have not as yet subscribed. Very little additional money would enable them to continue the relief up to the time spring work would open. Numbers have been saved from starvation, and kept in their homes by the relief afforded them. By this means great benefit has been conferred upon the poor, and the landlords and farmers have been saved from excessive poor rates. They return grateful thanks to the many landlords and others who have contributed with such liberality.
Mrs. Browne, Newgrove, £10;
The Right Hon Earl Kenmare, £10;
Henry Spaight, Esq., J.P., £5;
Captain Charles Geo. O’Callaghan, Ballinahinch, £5;
Very Rev Dr O’Riely, SJ, Dublin, £5;
Mrs. Baggott, Loretto Abbey, Dalkey, £3;
Very Rev James Bowles, VF, PP, £7;
Rev Philip Dwyer, CLK, Tulla, £1;
Francis Macnamara Calcutt, MP, £2;
Rev Robert Fitzgerald, RCC, £2;
Rev James Walsh, RCC, £2;
Wm O’Hara, Esq, RM, £2;
Wm Scanlan Esq, Bonnvaree, £2;
Doctor Stewart, Dublin £2;
Doctor Molony, Tulla, £2;
E J Hore, Esq, Ballinacurra, Limerick, £2;
Doctor Nihill, Tulla, £2;
Wm O’Brien, Esq, £1 10s;
Richard Brew, Esq, £1;
Edmond Gore, Esq, Tyreheeda, £1;
Solomon Frost, Esq, Rosmanaher, £1;
- Herbert, Esq, CI, Loughrea, £1;
Maurice O’Connell, Esq, Kilgory, £1;
Edward A Gore, Esq, Derrymore, £1;
Captain John O’Callaghan, Maryfort, £1;
Miss O’Brien, Tinahely, County Wicklow, £1;
Chartres B Molony, Esq, Ennis, £1;
E Bernard, Esq, Limerick, £1;
E B Brown, Esq, Newgrove, £1;
The O’Molony, Cregg, £1;
Sir Robert Kane, Dublin, £1;
Nicholas Murphy, Esq, Queenstown, £1;
Daniel Finch, Esq, Limerick, £1;
M Cullinan, Esq, Ennis, £1;
Jasper White, Esq, Belmont, £1;
Peter Sinclair, Esq, Kilduff, £1;
Thomas White, Esq, Tulla, £1;
Pierce O’Brien, Esq, Brooklodge, £1;
Wm Watson, Esq, Tulla, £1;
Mrs Creagh, Dangan, 10s;
Mr Thomas Hanly, 10s;
Mr Cornelius McGrath, 10s;
Mr Edward Wallace, 10s;
Mr M Molony, 10s;
Mr Pat Reidy, 10s;
Mr John Hynes, 10s;
Mr James Carr, 10s;
Mr Thady Murphy, £10;
Mr Murdock, 10s;
Mr Lynch, Agoon, 10s;
Mr Daniel Reddan, 10s;
Daniel O’Connell, Esq, Kilgory, 10s;
Mr Michael Daly, 10s;
Mr Baker, 10s;
Mr Wm Powell, 10s;
Mr Michael Ryan, Fortanemore, 7s 6d;
Mr Michael Connell, Derramore, 7s 6d.
The following subscribed 5s each:
Mrs Murphy, Lahardine;
Denis McNamara,
Michael Halvey,
Mrs Austin,
Pat McMahon,
Mrs Brown,
Michael Danaher,
Pat Scanlan,
John O’Donnell,
Thomas Powel,
William Kean, Esq, Ennis,
Mr O’Brien,
W Molony,
Edward Kennedy,
James Gallagher,
Ned Gavin,
Mathew McNamara,
Rodger Hayes,
John Connellan,
Michael Rochford, jun,
Michael Carty,
Pat Kelly,
Martin Molony,
Thomas Liddy,
Conor Halloran,
Richard Ryan,
James Whelan,
John Rochford,
Denis Hogan,
Michael Hogan,
James Liddy,
Thomas Conheady,
Mathew Halloran,
Miss Flynn,
John Conheady, Miltown, 4s 6d.
The following subscribed 3s 6d each:
Thomas Clune,
Patt White,
Daniel Manogue,
Mrs. McMahon,
Pat Hawkins,
Pat Lyddy,
John Corbett.
The following subscribed 3s each:
Edmund Murphy,
John Dwyer,
Michael Cusack,
Thomas Lynch.
The following subscribed 2s 6d each:
Tobey Blake,
John Blake,
Pat Conheady,
Michael Murphy,
Thomas Cooney,
James Morony,
Martin Meany,
Martin Roughan,
Michael Molony,
Pat O’Donnell,
Mat Macnamara,
The following subscribed 2s each:
Edward Lynch,
Thomas Twomey,
Widow Flanagan,
James Quin.
Thomas Kennedy and Pat Macnamara subscribed 1s 6d each.
The following subscribed 1s each:
Peter Dinan,
Mrs. Fogarty,
Michael Macnamara,
Widow Macnamara.
Rev Jeremiah Vaughan, P.P. of Doora parish, seems to have received a large consignment of Indian meal in the late Spring of 1862. He distributed this to various parishes, including Tulla:
The Clare Journal, Mon 28 Apr 1862:
Mon 28 Apr 1862:Tulla Relief Committee, thankfully acknowledge the receipt of two tons of Indian meal from Rev. Jeremiah Vaughan, P.P., Doora, for distribution amongst the poor of the Parish of Tulla.
Thur 24 Apr 1862:The Poor of Liscannor. Rev. John Kemmy, Administrator, Liscannor, begs to acknowledge from the Rev. Mr. Vaughan, P.P., Barefield, two tons of meal, for the relief of the poor of Liscannor.
Thur 1 May 1862:Acknowledgements. The Sisters of Mercy, Ennis, thankfully acknowledge the receipt of Half Ton of Meal for their orphanage, from Rev. J. Vaughan, P.P., Doora.
Thur 1 May 1862:The Relief Fund. A meeting of the Relief Committee [Ennis] was held yesterday. Thomas Greene, Esq., in the chair. After some conversation, it was decided that the Committee should appropriate the £20 received from the Mansion House Committee, together with the balance on hands, to the purchase of Indian meal, which, in addition to the two tons so liberally given by the Rev. Mr. Vaughan, will go a good distance in relieving the destitute condition of the poor of the town. The distribution of charity will commence on Tuesday next.
Thur 15 May 1862:Acknowledgement. The Rev. T. Quin, P.P., Kilnamona and Inagh, begs thankfully to acknowledge the receipt of two tons of Indian meal for the relief of the poor of those parishes from the Rev. Jeremiah Vaughan, P.P.
SheilaAcknowledgement. Rev. Mr. Dinan thankfully acknowledges having received two tons of meal from the Rev. Mr. Vaughan of Doora, to be distributed among the poor of the parish of Clondegad.
Edit: The Clare Journal, Mon 23 Jun 1862:
Acknowledgement. The Sisters of Mercy, Ennis, thankfully acknowledge the receipt of a second half ton of meal for their Orphanage from Rev. J. Vaughan, P.P., Doora