Bantry workhouse Board of Guardians (BG43)

Bantry Board of Guardians

IE CCCA/BG/43

Resolved, the PLC be informed that no bread contractor offered to supply the house ‘in consequence of having no funds to pay them’, except the present contractor at an ‘exorbitant price’ for one week more. The inmates were given only one meal this day, an d 75 further inmates were admitted ‘which if rejected would have perished with cold and hunger’. The PLC is asked to try to secure government assistance, ‘the board having neither credit nor funds at their command’. 9 Feb 1847 Resolved, that no new inmates be admitted until next board day ‘under any circumstances from the very great sickness and mortality now in the house’. [Total inmates: 698; Died: 56; in hospital or fever hospital: 172]. 16 Feb 1847 Medical officer’s report referring to his own illness , the difficulty of securing nursetenders, diet, and his fears regarding the use of part of the workhouse ground as a cemetery. PLC letter stating that the Lord Lieutenant has directed stated quantities of clothing to be supplied to the workhouse free of charge. 23 Feb 1847 Resolved, ‘that this board think it necessary that one thousand pounds should be borrowed to enable them to carry on the working of the house. They cannot name the time for its repayment but the present rate is in progress of collection ’. 2 Mar 1847 Medical officer’s report referring to the unsanitary condition s of the workhouse, noting that th ose in the dysentery ward are ‘past endurance’. He adds ‘the natural habits of the generality of the lower order here are so very filthy as to make them quite unfit for nursetenders without the strictest surveillance’. Resolution forwarding a letter to the PLC in response to the report of Dr Stephans to the Board of Health on the state of the workhouse. Regarding the fever hospital, they reject the charge that they ‘signally neglected their duties’, and they refer to previous minutes. They also refer to Dr McCarthy’s role as temporary medical officer, noting ‘the guardians cannot be expected to visit [the fever hospital]’, and that any failings arose ‘from the neglect of the medical attendant… and not through any fault of the board’. [See also 20 Apr] 16 Mar 1847 PLC letter referring to powers for providing increased workhouse accommodation, and suggesting the board contact ‘the relief committees of the union on whom the responsibility of relieving the destitute will devolve until the guardians are enabled to provide accommodation’. 19 Mar 1847 Resolution passed at extraordinary meeting asking the PLC to send ‘a medical man from Dublin’, as both med ical attendants are sick and ‘mortality continues to be fearful, over fifty a week’.

23 Mar 1847 Resolution passed opposing a new poor law but approving Lord John Russell’s outdoor relief measure.

6 Apr 1847 Medical officer’s report containing suggestion s regarding additional accommodation in the workhouse. Dr Nagle (medical attendant pro tem ) also reports ‘the majority of deaths occurred among young infants,

Page 8 of 27