Clifden Poor Law Union archive collection, Descriptive List, GPL3.pdf

Clifden Poor Law Union
Unions if, as a result of a public inquiry it is shown that economies can be effected in the
ratepayers’ interest without undue injury to the sick and destitute poor.
Clifden workhouse being 50 miles from Galway is also fully equipped and up to date,
possessing an excellent sewerage system with the best water supply in the county,
automatic flushing closets, bathing arrangements, steam cooking and washing, etc, roofs
slated and set in mastic. We consider it should be retained.
Galway, Loughrea, Tuam workhouses are within a radius of 20 miles of each other’
(GPL3/107, p341).
Though there is little reference to the ongoing political disruption in Ireland at this time, or to
the establishment of the first Dáil, the minutes do record that in May 1921 it unanimously
agreed to sever connection with the English LGB (GPL3/107, p278).
In December 1921 the Board received instruction from the Galway County‟s Hospital,
Homes, & Home Assistance Committee advising that „....all workhouses and Union Hospitals
must be cleared immediately to the County Home and Hospital. That the existing outdoor
relief system is to be carried on by the district Council until 3 rd March (1922) and the services
of the Relieving Officers retained ‘til that date etc’ (GPL3/107, p557). The proceedings for
that meeting also included details of a letter from the same Committee stating that „....as
soon as the Clifden Workhouse and Hospital are completely cleared of inmates and patients
arrangements will be made to discharge the liability of the Guardians to 31 st December 1921
but no further instalment will be issued until the buildings are vacated‟ (GPL3/107, p558).
The last recorded number of inmates in the workhouse, for the week ending 19 th November
1921, was 60. The minutes for the remaining Board‟s meetings deal with the closure of the
workhouse, and the transfer of materials, such as bedding (GPL3/107, p559), and of the old
and infirm inmates (GPL3/107, p560) to the Home in Loughrea. Also at this time the Master
advised that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) „...took over possession of the workhouse on
the 9 th instant (December) together with bedding, clothing, utensils and furniture, etc., and
are still in possession‟ (GPL3/107, p559). The IRA asked the Board to grant the Master
permission to „remain out of the workhouse at night as they required his apartments‟
(GPL3/107, p560).
Under the amalgamation of Unions scheme, introduced by Galway County Council, 206
officials employed in the Unions in the county were dispensed with. The Union Masters,
Clerks, Matrons and other staff received pensions or gratuities 15 .
15
See the Connacht Tribune 17 th Dec 1921 for details of the Ballinasloe employees who received payments
Cartlann Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe „…cuimhne dhoiciméadach Chontae na Gaillimhe a shealbhú, a chaomhnú agus a dhéanamh inrochtana’
Galway County Council - Archives „…to acquire, preserve and make accessible the documentary memory of county Galway’
xxvii.