Minute books, accounts ledgers, reports, and ancillary material relating to the creation, administration, and eventual dissolution of Tullamore Union from its establishment in 1839 to the closure of Tullamore Workhouse in August 1921. The main set of records are the minute books of the boards of guardians, comprising 112 volumes from an original set of 128 volumes. Other material is financial in nature, such as the treasurer’s account books and rates returns. No workhouse admission and discharge registers survive, but an important volume entitled Application and Report Book from 1862/1863, provides details of the relief applications for approximately 500 applicants. Other workhouse material is in the form of provisions registers and daybooks, as well as an architectural drawing of alterations to the Infirmary at the workhouse. As the Board of Guardians also oversaw the dispensary districts in the union, there is a set of minute books relating to the five dispensary districts with accompanying district notices in poster form.
Tullamore UnionThis collection contains the records of the King’s County Infirmary. Includes patient records, meeting minutes and annual reports. The patient registers detail patient illnesses, and treatment. The Board of Governors meeting minutes cover a variety of topics from general hospital management, finances, and staff appointments. The minutes also provide important information regarding the closure of the infirmary in 1921, following the establishment of the Offaly Board of Health by the republican-controlled county council during the War of Independence.
King's County InfirmaryPersonal diary and almanack of Captain Maxwell Fox, Annaghamore House. The diary records short, day-to-day accounts of January to October of 1868, the year Fox was appointed High Sheriff of King's County. Entries to the diary comment mainly on personal matters and activities of his routine as a landowner, with occasional reference to national and local events.
Personal matters referred to include socialising amongst a small circle of landed neighbours, relations and professionals in the town of Tullamore (names occurring include: Coote, Ridley, Marshall, Waller, Biddulph); attending religious services; light farm duties; shooting and hunting; card games.
Entries contain occasional reference to his duties as High Sheriff during the Spring and Summer Assizes. An example of this is recorded across two days, dated 4 and 5 March, "Drove to Tullamore on car at 8.45, found carriage all ready so went with Sub-Sheriff in Clarence to meet Chief Justice Monaghan [sic] at Clara station. Brough him and Lefroy back to their lodgings in Tullamore, then drove home to luncheon after which cutting hedge along back lane to Lambs... Went in brougham to Tullamore at 8.35 attended at Station and received Chief Justice (Whiteside) drove him to his lodgings and attended by mounted police. At 11.15 attended both judges to Court House in Clarence and pair. In Court with Chief Justice until 4. Visited G. Jury luncheon and some. - Dined with judges and met Curran, Molloy, Dames and Montgomery. Home at 11."
Fox, Capt., Maxwell