The impact of the Great Famine on Sir William Palmer's estates in Mayo, 1840-69

by David Byrne MA

Overview

This book examines the impact of the Famine on Sir William Palmer’s Mayo estates, one of the largest in the county. It describes the estates’ social and economic structures, and its tenants’ living conditions and experiences before, during and after the Famine. It explores the relationship Lord Palmer, an absentee landlord, had with his tenants and the influence and control he had on the locality, its politics and the lives of the community on his estates.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781846829734
Publisher:	Four Courts Press
Publication date:	10/01/2021
Series:	Maynooth Studies in Local History
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.20(d)

About the Author

David Byrne (1962-2019), a native of Dublin, was a teacher who taught in Dundrum (Dublin), Brussels and Lucan. He loved Mayo and stayed there frequently throughout each year. He enjoyed engaging with students learning history, and particularly liked leading groups on field visits exploring Mayo’s past.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 6

Introduction 7

1 Conditions on the Palmer estates in the pre-Famine period 11

2 The impact of the Great Famine on the Palmer Mayo estates 22

3 Politics, evictions and the post-Famine economic recovery on the Palmer estates 39

Conclusion 50

Notes 52

Figures

1 Sir William Henry Roger Palmer, fourth baronet 11

2 Kenure Park, the Dublin home of Sir William Henry Roger Palmer 12

3 Cefn Park, the Wrexham home of Sir William Henry Roger Palmer 12

4 The baronies of Co. Mayo 13

5 Number of marriages in the parish of Islandeady, 1841-55 26

6 February marriages, parish of Islandeady, 1841-55 28

7 Church of Ireland baptisms in the parish of Aughaval, 1840-55 28

8 Townlands recording a population increase, Palmer Tirawley estate, 1841-51 29

9 Population change by barony, 1841-51, Palmer estates compared with baronies overall 34

10 Ejectment of leaseholders, Palmer Mayo estates, 1847-51 34

11 Burials, parish of Aughaval, 1844-53 36

12 The parishes of Co. Mayo 48

Tables

1 Monthly marriage statistics, Islandeady, 1841-54 27

2 Number of persons evicted from the Palmer Mayo estates, 1849 35

3 Demographic change in five Mayo baronies, 1841-61 40

4 Agricultural statistics for 1847 and 1856, Ballina and Castlebar unions 41

5 Value of livestock, Co. Mayo, 1852-6 42

6 Rentals for the Palmer Mayo estates, 1 Nov. 1862-1 May 1863 42