Typescript diary entry of William Bury Homan Mulock, reflecting on the surroundings of the Bellair Estate; his childhood on the estate; estate improvements; sale of the estate to tenants under the Land Acts; effects on Irish agriculture and corn production during the first World War.

"The Townland of Bellair or Bally-ard (High Town) stands almost in the centre of Ireland and its hill crowned with a thick grove of beech and fir is a conspicuous object from most of the Counties in Ireland...

I dearly loved and revered the old place with all the tradition it stood for, and for my first day in India I determined to save money and pull it through as my father had always impressed on me the severe strain his large family had been on the estate...

I have now held it for close on 30 years and in the natural course of things must soon relinquish it. I can however fairly claim to have done more than any predecessor for its benefit. I have sold to the tenants, under the Land Acts, and have paid of all charges. I have renovated the house and wing, rebuilt all the farm buildings, and a good part of the stabling...

I have now (1918) had close on ten years experience as an Irish Landlord without tenants, having sold under the Land Acts 1908-9. I can't say that I regret their loss. I live more like an English squire, without anxiety or fear of malicious injuries, cattle drives, or burnings, and I have more leisure to look after my Bellair farm which is now paying me well for all my improvements".

Annual report submitted by Lewis Goodbody, agent to Lord Digby, in which he presents a statement of accounts up to 1 June 1923 for Digby's properties in King's County and Queen's County, noting a reduction in the rental income has been reduced owing to advances made under the Land Purchase Act, and the cessation interest in lieu of rent paid by tenants whose holdings are now vested.
In reference to the 'recent unsettled state of the country', the report notes that 'all the unpurchased tenants stopped payment of rent, and arrears could not be recovered owing to the complete breakdown of legal procedure'.

Annual report, accounts and rental for year ending June 1908, showing a slightly reduced gross rental. Reports on the general 'lawlessness' throughout the country in the form of cattle driving, boycotting and malicious injuries, but is pleased to note that the Geashill estate has been free of such incidents.

Also reports that the purchase negotiations with the tenants have been agreed and the tenanted lands in King's County and Queen's County are now to be sold under the premise of the Land Purchase Act of 1903. Warns however that due to the insufficiency of funds from the government, it will be some years before the purchase money and bonds can be paid to Lord Digby and the holdings vested in the tenants.

Annual report, accounts and rental for year ending June 1907, showing a reduction in overall rent received and a slight increase in arrears due. Warns that the future of the estate must be 'prejudicially affected by the general demoralization caused by the apathy shown by the government in dealing with the new form of disorder known as "cattle driving"and by the extraordinary and immoral terms of their proposed legislation dealing with evicted tenants.' Also reports that negotiations with tenants were re-opened on the subject of the sale of the estate but with no definite result as yet.

Annual report, accounts and rental for year ending June 1904, showing a gross rental income of £15,240.14.2, and noting that despite a wet and unfavourable season, rents were satisfactorily paid and the amount of outstanding arrears reduced. Also reports that a request was made that the estate would be sold to the occupying tenants under the provisions of the Land Purchase Act of 1903, but that the offer made on behalf of the tenants was 'utterly inadequate' and therefore not entertained. Also reports that the timber in Clonad and other woods, which was blown down in the storm of 1903, has been sold to a Scotch timber merchant.

Annual report, accounts and rental for year ending June 1901, showing a further reduction in rental mainly owing to reductions of judicial rents on the expiration of the first statutory term, and the reduction involved under the term of the Local Government Act in respect of the Poor Rate on buildings, but notes that this is more than compensated for by the exemption granted in respect of the poor rate on agricultural land in the occupation of tenants. Also notes a decrease in outstanding arrears and that abandoned arrears are low.

Annual report, accounts and rental for year end June 1895, showing rents and arrears unchanged since the previous year. Despite the continued low prices for agricultural produce, and a moderate harvest, rents were satisfactorily paid, and Digby notes 'the agitation and discontent prophesied as the inevitable result of the defeat of the Home Rule and Evicted Tenants Bills have been absolutely non existent, and in this district boycotting and intimidation of any kind are almost things of the past.'

Annual report, accounts and rental for year ending June 1894, showing an unchanged rental situation form the previous year. Digby refers to the defeat of the Home Rule Bill and his satisfaction that 'the extraordinary proposal of the Government to reinstate evicted tenants has failed to excite enthusiasm'.

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.