Condition of the poorer classes in Ireland: first report: appendix A and supplement

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SUPPLEMENT to APPENDIX (A.) 
FIRST REPORT of COMMISSIONERS CONNAUGHT—County Galway—Baronies Ballymoe, Tuam, Ballinahinch and Moycullen Ballynakill, Pop. 
about 7,183. 

Henry Blake, Esq., 
j. 
p. 

Ballynakill, Pop. 
about 37,000. 

Rev. 
A7ithony Thoi7ias. 
I cannot answer this question. 
I have not heard of more than four ot* five for many years, two or three of whichhave been sup¬ ported by charity. 
It is however to be remarked, that I do not remember hearing of any pe¬ rishing through neglect, ancl | scarcely think it could have occurred. 
The fathers generally sup¬ port their bastard children, but not always, i have not had more than two or three appli¬ cations as a magistrate from the mothers for some years for assistance. 

I have not known cases of desertion of infants, within my memory, to be more than two or three cases. 
No death that I recollect of from desertion. 

Ballynakill, &c. 
Pop. 
about 37,000. 
Rev. 
Ardho7iy Tho7nas. 
Seldom an instance of this description; I recollect but two or three cases in 12 years; but they often live together for some time un¬ married, for want of the priest's fee, as they say. 

I cannot answer this question. 
As a landlord, I find the widows my best tenants; and I have scai cely known an instance in which half an acre of land given gratuitously, for a few years, has not enabled the poorest to bring up a family with the help of their relations. 
I cannot answer this question. 
I know of none that cannot do some¬ thing, and they aie in the habit here of supporting their relations freely, ex¬ cept when profuse charity makes it their interest to throw them off. 

Very few. 
The number I have no means of ascertaining. 

Their wives and children re¬ main at home to look after the crop, and to weed it. 
They are supported by the remains of the last year's crop and the new potatoes. 
We have very few beggars, and they are strangers, who receive alms in provisions, and do not remain long in the pa¬ rish. 

I cannot answer this question. 
I doubt if money is taken for the lodging of beggars in the parish. 

None that I have heard of. 

I know of none. 

This I cannot accurately answer ; but the number in a state of utter destitution is not great. 

There are not very many of this class ; I believe they ge¬ nerally are supported by their children or friends, and are of some use to those who allow them in their cabin. 
None from this Union. 

The above answers this. 

The itinerant beggars are not very numerous, particu¬ larly amongst the aboriginal inhabitants. 
Beggars who in¬ fest this county come from distant parts of the county; sometimes from better class 

, in money, but most with provisions 

None, to my knowledge. 

Not many under this head. 

It is hard to answer this question with accuracy. 
The people here who live to be very old, say 80, work and live with their children and near relatives. 
We have none of this class that I either know or have heard of, in this Union. 

x^lS above,-

The beggars who most in¬ fest this country come from distant parts; those belong¬ ing to the country itself are not numerous. 

In the country parts, stroll¬ ing beggars, and strangers of the lower orders, are hospi¬ tably received, gratis; in the towns, such pay 3^. 
ov 4d. 
for half a bed. 

Not one, to my knowledge. 
I have heard that in the be¬ ginning of 1831, some pe¬ rished from disease brought on by unwholesome food. 

None of this description in the country. 
The cottagers hospitably entertain all tra¬ vellers, in towns ; 3 d. 
for a night's lodging is here the usual rate. 

I believe none; I heard of one or two in 1831, but I do not give credit to the report. 

Omey and Ballindr^T 

PoP-11,514. 
Rev. 
Peter Fitzmauricc,Â¥.v. 
I do not know of any de¬ serted children, or any to have perished of want, for the lw three years. 

There are some children not supported by their reputed fathers, whose mothers are en¬ deavouring to support them. 
I cannot specify the number. 

I cannot stale accurately. 

The old and infirm are sup¬ ported by their children and relatives. 

None ofthe labourers in this parish quit it for employment elsewhere. 

There is a feeling against street or public beggary pecu¬ liar to the inhabitants of this country. 
Alms are given pri¬ vately in provisions, and to some in money. 

The night's lodging for beg¬ gars is never charged. 

In the famine of 1831 (tho«gh I cannot adduce instance*), I fear the dissolution of some was accelerated by want ot food, or by unwholesomef00a.