Fonds BG158 - Records of Tullamore Union

Identity area

Reference code

IE OCL BG158

Title

Records of Tullamore Union

Date(s)

  • 1839 - 1921 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

44 boxes
1 outsize bound volume
6 outsize folders

Context area

Name of creator

(1839 - 1925)

Administrative history

Tullamore’s Poor Law Union was formed on the 16th of September 1839. Its operations were controlled by a Board of Guardians, twenty-four of whom were elected, as well as eight ex-officio Guardians who all met weekly, with J. H. Welsh serving as chairman. The Union comprised an area of 246 square miles, covering two counties: from Offaly (King’s) – Ballycommon, Cappincor, Clara, Durrow, Geashill, Kilclonfert, Killeagh, Killoughy, Kilmonaghan, Philipstown, Rahan, Rathfeston and Tullamore. From County Westmeath – Kilbeggan and Rahugh. The Union was abolished in 1925, with the Board of Guardians powers being transferred to the county councils' Board of Health.

Archival history

Content and structure area

Scope and content

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.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

By appointment only. Contact Offaly Archives at [email protected]

Conditions governing reproduction

May be reproduced in accordance with provisions of the Copyright and Related Rights Act (2000). No reproduction online, in print or broadcast without express permission of copyright holder.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Language and script notes

    Physical characteristics and technical requirements

    Finding aids

    Allied materials area

    Existence and location of originals

    Existence and location of copies

    Related units of description

    Publication note

    Michael Murphy, Anne Coughlan and Gráinne Doran, 'Grand Jury to Áras An Chontae', (Jetprint: Tullamore, 2003).

    Notes area

    Alternative identifier(s)

    Access points

    Name access points

    Genre access points

    Description control area

    Description identifier

    Institution identifier

    Rules and/or conventions used

    ISAD(G)

    Dates of creation revision deletion

    Original listing, Gráinne Doran
    ISAD (G) online fonds level, Erin Sears, 2019
    Revised full listing, Lisa Shortall, 2022

    Language(s)

      Script(s)

        Sources

        Michael Murphy, Anne Coughlan and Gráinne Doran, 'Grand Jury to Áras An Chontae', (Jetprint: Tullamore, 2003).

        Accession area