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Clonad Wood Sport
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Annual Report 1869

Annual report and rental for year ending June 1869, containing detailed report and accounts showing the receipts and disbursements on the estate for the preceding year. Records that the financial situation is favourable and that the largest expenditure was on drainage at Ballyknockan, Newtown, Killeenmore and Ballyduff. Reports that the RASI have awarded a 3rd Gold Medal and the Hall Challenge Cup for the best drainage in all Ireland. In relation to buildings and other improvements, he refers to ongoing renovations rather than new builds. Reports that the RASI have awarded a Gold Medal for improving existing labourers' cottages and that Mr Mallison, architect, was awarded £25 for best plans of labourers' cottages.(See 'Architectural drawings' preceding Index.) The constabulary barrack was fortified to withstand any attack. Woods and plantations were not as profitable as other years and reports on works on Derryclure, Clonad, Derryadd and Killeenmore.

In general, reports that 'an excellent tone pervades the people', that they appear satisfied and there is an absence of outrages. Regrets to say that part of the county boundary in Westmeath not for from estate is in a 'lawless condition'. Also reports on a 'curious incident' outside Tullamore where a ruse was employed by locals who wanted to divert police from an intended cock-fight. Also reports on the murder of Captain Tarleton and on a Mr Roberts who was forcefully ejected from his farm having 'seized' another farm which had belonged to a relative of his who had recently died. Appendix (pp54 and 55) contains copy correspondence between Lord Digby and RASI in relation to the establishment of a Digby Challenge Cup.

Digby - Geashill Estate 1933-1935

Original incoming and copy outgoing correspondence relating to the administration of the Geashill estate. Matters referred to include the death of Lewis Goodbody;the trade in timber; sale of game-keeper Donaldson's house in Ballina, Geashill; rent arrears; enquiries relating to extent of lands at Glenamoy, Digby's Mayo estate; sale of timber at Derrygunnigan; the Geashill Cauldron; proposed fisheries bill; replanting of the River Wood at Clonad; visit by Digby to Ireland; and the death of former game-keeper, David Donaldson.

Includes copy letter from Ken Kennedy to Digby concerning death of Lewis Goodbody:'...He and Mrs Goodbody returned to Dublin on Tuesday night last, and Lewis came down to Clara on Wednesday evening, where Mrs Goodbody joined him on Friday. Lewis attended his Office in Moate on Thursday, and did a full days work here on Friday, and his usual half day on Saturday. He told me on Friday for the first time, that for a short time, I rather think only after he got to Canterbury he had felt chest pain, and had several attacks of it...He had a bad night Saturday night, but felt well enough on Sunday, although he stayed in the house resting himself. Between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon of Sunday, he was sitting in the drawing room with Mrs Goodbody, and the latter asked him if he would like to come round the garden with her. He said that he thought not as he was comfortable where he was. Mrs Goodbody went out to the garden, and was a very short time away, and when she came back she found him sitting dead in his chair, just in the position she left him...I would like to thank you most sincerely for your sympathy to me. Lewis was like a father to me, and I have lost a good partner and a good friend. (10 January 1933)

Includes letter from Caroline G. Digby, Wimborne to Lord Digby:'I think it is best to write & tell you what I heard from my old cook today about the big bath or cauldron that was stolen from Geashill Castle 12 years ago - the night before Edith and [?] went over to see about the removal of our things to England. She writes: "I met a man on Saturday. He asked me 'do you ever hear from Mrs. Digby?' I said yes - Well he said will you write Mrs Digby & tell her I am the man has the cauldron - I raided here for it myself and three others. I am willing he said to give it up should Mrs. Digby write me. I told him I would write. His name is D. Kelly, Killeary, Geashill. He said his father was an old tenant of Lord Digby's. That's all he said. I was surprised & I was glad to hear it was coming to its own home again... There was a good many men of the name Kelly round Geashill. We cannot remember Killeary - the district was divided into so many townlands. My old cook may have spelt it wrong. She is still well known in Geashill & still lives there. You may think it well that Mr. Kennedy should go over & see her or have her see to his office & find out more....You may remember that my daughter Edith did go to the Museum in Dublin when she was over there some time ago. It seems a pity not to recover the cauldron as it was of great historic interest. Reggie used to show it to everyone who came to see us with great pride! It was awfully heavy and unwieldy...My cook's name is Mrs. Browne' (3 August 1933)

Goodbody, Lewis