Poverty, poor law and famine in county Armagh 1838-52

Mac Atasney, Gerard. (2003) Poverty, poor law and famine in county Armagh 1838-52. PhD thesis, University of Liverpool.

Text 272834.pdf - Unspecified Download (16MB) | Preview

Abstract

This thesis examines provision for the poor in County Armagh in the period from the introduction of the Poor Law to the end of the Famine. It begins by analysing the local reaction to the new measure and its impact on existing charities. It then moves on to the enactment of the law through its most conspicuous elements-the workhouses in Armagh and Newry. These establishments were not long developed when they had to cope with the disaster of the famine and an in-depth analysis of their role throughout this period is offered. In conjunction with such official relief efforts were those of private agencies such as the Society of Friends and the Irish Relief Association. To date, these sources have been little used in famine historiography but their worth is highlighted in this work particularly in evaluating government measures such as the Temporary Relief Act (1847). The latter part of the study examines the consequences of the famine years and their impact on the county. By looking at mortality rates, depopulation, emigration and crime levels the conclusion is offered that there were a series of famine experiences in the county. It emerges as no surprise that those in the industrialised north-east escaped relatively lightly while there was much suffering in the south. However, the main finding is that the most distressed districts were those in the middle and west of the county, areas which had previously been buoyant due to the linen industry but by the mid-1840s had started to suffer the effects of de-industrialisation and the concentration of manufacturing in the north-east.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	23 Oct 2023 10:19
Last Modified:	23 Oct 2023 10:22
DOI:	10.17638/03176089
Copyright Statement:	Copyright © and Moral Rights for this thesis and any accompanying data (where applicable) are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge.
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3176089