Annual report, accounts and rental for year ending June 1881. Reports that the financial condition of the estate had disimproved, outstanding arrears remaining due and abandoned arrears considerably increased. Profit remitted was £8500, a decrease on previous years, although there was a net increase in the overall rental income. Also reports that the Roskeen lease was surrendered by the reps of Mr. Bailey, and that the farm at Ballydownan was surrendered by Mr Adams and now in Lord Digby's hands and set for grazing with newly purchased cattle.

In terms of land improvement, Digby reports on the completion of a number of Board of Works projects including the draining and squaring of the moors under Scrubb Wood, the deepening of the boundary stream at Cappancur and the sinking of a large main drain in Balinvally bog. Construction works included new offices for Mr Arthur of Killurin and Patrick Nugent of Ballycollin; new cottages completed at Killeigh; new cottage commenced in Geashill Village and assistance give to William Mathews to erect substantial new dwelling house in Killurin. Also reports on the thinning and replanting of Derrygunnigan Wood.

Warns that agrarian agitation is increasing encouraged by the Land League. Blames the Government for slow response to agitation. Reports on a 'monster meeting' held in Tullamore by the Land League prior to the winter collection of rents (1880) where the Geashill tenantry requested en masse Griffith's Valuation as a fair rent which was subsequently refused by Lord Digby, but who abated the rent by 10% on the half year's rent payable. Identifies William Adams as the leader of the agitation and describes the court proceedings taken against him individually. With the result of being faced with bankruptcy, Adams paid his rent and then surrendered farm at Ballydownan, with the result that all other agitation on the estate ceased and rents were collected within three weeks. Also refers to 'boycotting' occurring throughout the estate but that no acts of violence or outrages took place. A further attempt at withholding rent in May 1881 was similarly short-lived.

Annual report, accounts and rental for year ending June 1883, describing a considerable improvement in the financial situation with a large drop in arrears outstanding due to the Arrears Act of 1882. Reports that abandoned and boycotted farms now account for 850 statute acres of land in Lord Digby's hands set for temporary grazing and necessitating the purchase of cattle. Also reports that despite a decrease in the net rental due to the action of the Land Commission Courts and voluntary reduction of rents, it was possible to remit profits of £11,500. No land improvements or works were carried out, but 50 acres of replanting was carried out at Derrygunnigan Wood, River Wood at Clonad and Derrygolan.

Describes a general improvement in the condition of the estate and attributes the cessation of agitation to the Prevention of Crimes Act brought in following the Phoenix Park murders in spring 1882.

Includes a letter from Toler R. Garvey, land agent in Birr to client, V. J. E. Ryan who owns property in Sackville Street, the scene of some of the worst fighting in the Rising on 10 May 1916:

‘I hear that your house in Sackville Street is not seriously damaged only pitted by rifle and machine gunfire and in any case your rent is I should say quite safe. The Rebellion is all over and it’s merely a case of rounding up now, but [sic] all the futile reprisals upon martial law being maintained until this conspiracy and all its sympathisers are thoroughly crushed.’

Includes letters from Toler Garvey Jr relating to the occupation of Birr Castle by the Free State Army during December 1922 and January 1923. Also contains letters concerning the finances of the Birr Castle estate, theft of silver from Thomastown Park, the execution of three youths on Birr Castle grounds by the occupying Free State Army, and a compensation claim to the OPW in February 1923.

Box of in-letters from correspondents whose names begin with ‘A’ and ‘C’, including correspondence about Sir Nesbitt Armstrong’s trusts, and letters from James Callaghan (a thatcher employed by the Rosse estate), from the ‘Chief of Staff, January 1923’ about the occupation of Birr Castle by the Free State Army, from W. Y. Chisholm (manager of the Rosse sawmill [see Q/327]), from Miss Edith A. Cramer, [see M/18], from Messrs Coutts & Co., etc.

Includes: Letter from Padraig Ua Maolchatha, Col. Comdt., G. O. C. 3rd Southern Command, Roscrea: I am directed by the Chief of General Staff to inform you that it will not be possible to evacuate any portion of the premises occupied by the troops before Christmas. I am at present unable to give you any idea when we may be able to evacuate Birr Castle but assure you that we will not occupy it any longer than necessary. I regret being unable to facilitate Lord Rosse’s family in this matter but trust that the owner will appreciate the circumstances which force us to remain in occupation.’ (4 December 1922)

Includes letter from Capt. F. O’Brien for the Chief of General Staff, Dublin, to Toler Garvey: ‘I have been in communication with the General Officer Commanding of the Area who informs me that we was aware of game being shot on the Rosse Estate, but did not prevent it, as he was not aware that the game was preserved.’ (8 January 1923)

Letter from Professor H S Raper of the Department of Physiology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, to Doctor Francis William Lamb, notifying them that due to present crisis (England had just entered World War II), he and the Vice-Chancellor agree that a celebration is inappropriate, and suggests that instead they will simply provide the funds for him to pay for the silverware chosen as a parting gift from the Department of Physiology.

Letter from Patrick J. Smyth to Abraham Stritch Fuller at Woodfield, Clara, County Offaly, on 15 April 1848, concerning the arrest of William Smith O'Brien, Thomas F. Meagher and John Mitchel for sedition. Informs Fuller that his subscription to the cause will be published in 'The Nation' and the 'United Irishman', and is glad to here that the neighbourhood of Clara is prepared for [rebellion]. Also includes a newspaper clipping concerning a minor "Accident to the Reverend Abraham Fuller".

Civilian War Duties Public Information Pamphlet number one. Issued by the Department of Defence, Air Raid Precautions Branch, Saint John's Road, Kingsbridge, Dublin. Printed by Cahill and Company Limited, Parkgate Printing Works, Dublin.