Rathfriland

Condition of the poorer classes in Ireland: appendix (e): baronial examination on food, cottages, clothing, furniture, etc 1836- 1836

Drumballyroney & Drumgath, population, 12,992 Drumgath, population, 4,448

Thomas Scott, Esq. J.P. Rev. A. Polin, P. P.

In country places farmers and in towns, generally persons who have built houses to rent. Generally farmers.

In country places about £1. 10 shillings, and in towns about £2 yearly without land, save a small garden. Cabins from £1. 5 shillings to £1. 12 shillings, with a rood of land £2. 10 shillings.

Built with stone and clay, badly furnished, and very bad bedding. These buildings are generally of the most wretched description, not furnished. I have been frequently called upon to administer the comforts of religion in those cabins, and it is deplorable to see them, the person who is sick, lying on the cold ground on a wisp of straw, while their covering is the clothes they wear by day, without any seat but a stone to sit on, during rain I have often seen their cabins flooded.

Paid in duty work and cash. Duty work is taken in lieu of rent.

There are many instances of two families living in the same cabin. 10 instances.

The poor are in my opinion worse of since 1815, the men not being in constant employment and the women getting no compensation for their industry by spinning. The condition of both farmers and the poorer classes, has deteriorated since 1815, and yearly getting worse for several reasons, 1, failure of the linen trade in the North, 2, from the high rents, 3, the oppressive tithes and cesses, 4, not obtaining a price for the produce of their farms when brought to market, the population is increasing.

In both parishes party spirit prevails and consequently, the peace disturbed in some degree. The neighbourhood has been frequently from time to time been disturbed by party work.

None. Not any savings bank.

Drumgooland, population, 10,281	Drumgooland Lower, population 10,281 of entire parish	Drumgooland Upper,10,281 of entire parish
Francis, C. Beers, Esq, J. P.	Rev. P. Morgan, P .P.	Rev. Michael O'Loughlin, P. P.
Respectable farmers.	Men who have small farms, from 10 to 12 acres of land.	The landlords are farmers, there might be a few exceptions.
From £1.10 shillings to £2, with a small bit of ground.	A cabin with one apartment, about £1, with 2 about £1. 10shillings, with a rood of a garden, about £2. 10 shillings.	The rent without land is in general, from £1 to £2 a year, with land about double the rent, paid to the chief landlord.
Built with stone, badly furnished, beds very bad.	The cabins are generally of a very bad description, not keeping out the rain, and even previous to the wind, being for the most part built with stones without any lime, beds are usually of straw, without any bedstead, there are some exceptions.	They are of the poorest description, and furnished accordingly, in many cases there are no bedsteads, and in general bedding very uncomfortable.
Rent generally paid with duty labour.	They hold them for money payable half yearly, duty days are sometimes required , but then the rent of the house or cabin is lower, the landlords of the cabins usually give some employment to those who hold them from them..	The cottiers here are in general, tenants at will, duty labour is not unusual, sometimes a cabin is let for one week or two days work in the week.
Several.	About six or seven.	I know of no instance of the kind.
Much worse since the year 1815, population much increased.	Is becoming much worse, population much increased.	Exceedingly deteriorated since that period in every respect, the population is increasing.
It has not been disturbed.	Has been disturbed frequently by party disputes.	Peaceable since that period.
None.	None.	There are no such institutions in this parish.
None.	None.	None.
From nine to fourteen in the parish.	There are eight public houses in the parish, illicit distillation does not prevail here.	There are three public houses, Iam told that illicit distillation

Drumballyroney & Drumgath, population, 12,992	Drumgath, population, 4,448
Thomas Scott, Esq. J.P.	Rev. A. Polin, P. P.
In country places farmers and in towns, generally persons who have built houses to rent.	Generally farmers.
In country places about £1. 10 shillings, and in towns about £2 yearly without land, save a small garden.	Cabins from £1. 5 shillings to £1. 12 shillings, with a rood of land £2. 10 shillings.
Built with stone and clay, badly furnished, and very bad bedding.	These buildings are generally of the most wretched description, not furnished. I have been frequently called upon to administer the comforts of religion in those cabins, and it is deplorable to see them, the person who is sick, lying on the cold ground on a wisp of straw, while their covering is the clothes they wear by day, without any seat but a stone to sit on, during rain I have often seen their cabins flooded.
Paid in duty work and cash.	Duty work is taken in lieu of rent.
There are many instances of two families living in the same cabin.	10 instances.
The poor are in my opinion worse of since 1815, the men not being in constant employment and the women getting no compensation for their industry by spinning.	The condition of both farmers and the poorer classes, has deteriorated since 1815, and yearly getting worse for several reasons, 1, failure of the linen trade in the North, 2, from the high rents, 3, the oppressive tithes and cesses, 4, not obtaining a price for the produce of their farms when brought to market, the population is increasing.
In both parishes party spirit prevails and consequently, the peace disturbed in some degree.	The neighbourhood has been frequently from time to time been disturbed by party work.
None.	Not any savings bank.