Death and emigration in County Galway: Ireland during the Famine

Death and emigration in County Galway: Ireland during the Famine 


Hidden in the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archives are the names of thousands of men, women and children who were affected by the Great Famine. It is perhaps the best source to go to in search of information about the conditions which these people endured. Take for example here the Tuam Herald who reported in 1848 on the death of man name Finn near Ballinasloe and the emigration of almost 300 of the same community: 

Death from Starvation: On Thursday an unfortunate man named Finn, who had been in attendance at the meeting of the board of guardians the previous day, and who, through the kind exertions of Mr. Filgate, succeeded in getting his name on the outdoor relief list, died by the roadside, on his way home, near Loville, on the road to Ahascragh. 

An inquest was held by Mr. Kenny, coroner of the district, and a verdict returned of death by starvation. We understand the wretched man had been for some time an inmate of the workhouse, which he left about three weeks ago, we suppose in the hope of obtaining employment. He was to have received relief on Friday. A young man dying of starvation in one of the finest countries in the world! This requires no comment (Ballinasloe Star). 

Free Emigration: On the 9th instant, 280 persons from the crown lands of Ballyruane, within a few miles of Ballinasloe, who voluntarily resigned their holdings, were despatched on cars to Galway, from whence they will obtain a passage to Canada at the expense of government—Should they remain in the British dominions on their arrival, employment will be secured then, and to such of them as choose to seek their own fortunes in other portions of America, a certain sum of money—we believe £2 each—will be given towards enabling them to do so…

For more information on the Great Famine see the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archives (www.irishnewsarchive.com )

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