Identity area
Reference code
Title
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
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.
Repository
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
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Welsh, J. H. (Subject)
- McKenna, James (Subject)
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).