Search the Catalogue

CSO/RP/1824/2131

Letter from Alexander Nimmo, civil engineer overseeing public works in the western district, Westport, County Mayo, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, responding to a complaint from Edward Fitzgerald over the public works on the road between the bay of Killary, County Galway and Westport. Insists on the viability of the road in question and defends the means under which bridge building was undertaken. Refers to removal of ‘Collins’ and employment of ‘O’Hara’ as his works assistant. Remarks also on his evaluation of needs to the entrance of Westport town and comments on the ‘extremely defective’ state of roads in County Mayo. Stresses his independence and his determination to operate beyond the interests of local estate owners such as the Marquis of Sligo [Howe Peter Browne]. Returns letter from Fitzgerald, Castlebar, County Mayo, to Goulburn, seeking investigation of use of public money on road from Killary Bay to Westport. Alleges Nimmo failed to advertise publicly for contractors to erect a number of bridges on the line of road ‘to the prejudice of the working classes’ and complains of expenditure on Lord Sligo’s estate.

27 Nov 1824-16 Dec 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/2132

Letter from Edward Lawson, secretary, Grand Canal Company, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, enclosing report of John Stokes, engineer to the Grand Canal Company, conveying an evaluation of the entire Grand Canal, section by section. Observes that in general along the length of the navigation canal locks and aqueducts are in good order, with a few necessary repairs in progress. Canal trackways or roads, at various points, also require some attention. Remarks that on the River Shannon ‘a number of Beacons for guiding the Passage of Boats, have been wantonly and maliciously removed by the People’. States intention in due course to have these replaced by alternative markers of minor value. Also original accounts of the Grand Canal Company for the 6 month period ending 31 August 1826. Displays a full breakdown of outgoings and income including the performance of Newtown Colliery, value of coal and culm stored at Ringsend docks, plus the income of Clonbrock farm. Also notes level of interest charges on loan; account sworn before Robert [J Carty] and attested by Edward Geoghegan, book keeper to Grand Canal Company.

30 Nov 1824-21 Oct 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1824/2133

Letter from Alexander Nimmo, civil engineer overseeing public works in the western district, Westport, County Mayo, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, reporting on inspection of new roads in the barony of Erris. Remarks on acceptable progress of road and bridge building in the region despite a late start. Notices some improvements at Belmullet where a number of stone buildings have been erected, including a large one by Mr Ivers, for use as a storage barn for crops intended for export. Comments on resistance given to plans to carry a small section of an interconnecting road from Belmullet to the main arterial road, by local proprietor Major Denis Bingham. Also notes Bingham’s involvement in construction of ‘another village’ in the locality and of his own part in bringing to completion a new fishing pier there under the direction of the Fishery Board, 20 December 1824. Also letter from Nimmo, Clifdon, Connemara, County Galway, to Goulburn, reporting on progress of public works in neighbourhood. Rebukes the author of a late memorial, Anthony Gregory Joyce, and abhors his misrepresentation of the overall success of the works in the area. Also remarks on the relative prosperity of the countryside since 1822, as well as on an apparent improvement in the mode of local dress or attire. As to the village of Clifdon, he observes, there is now a significant increase in the number of common dwellings, a new brewery and store have been built, plus two large stores to receive imports on the quay, 28 December 1824.

20 Dec 1824-28 Dec 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/2134

Letter from Reverend David Davison, [Presbyterian minister of congregation of Dundalk, County Louth], Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, expressing desire for an audience to discuss having his congregation raised to that of first class for payment of regium donum or royal bounty. Explains his predecessor Dr William Neilson, drew an income of Stg£50 given by Dr Williams of London, but the fund was withdrawn upon discovery it was intended for the itinerant ministry of the church for the conversion of the native Irish through the medium of their own language. Emphasises limitation of his own income and extent of labours devolving upon him, with a congregation of 120 families dispersed over an area of 14 miles. Also letter from Davison, Dundalk, to Goulburn, extending his claim for reclassification of his congregation under the royal bounty and offering responses to some queries raised. Refers to precedents entered into under Charles Chetwynd Chetwynd-Talbot, [Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1817-1821], especially in respect of the congregation of Cork. Also draft response from CSO to Davison declining his request.

31 Dec 1824-5 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1824/2135

Letter from Walter Troy, 3 Cavendish Row, Dublin, to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, advancing case for admission of Anne O’Rourke to the Richmond Lunatic Asylum, 22 November 1824. Returns letter from Mary O’Rourke, Clontarf, County Dublin, to Troy, expressing appreciation for assistance with application for her relative. Observes that since her friend's loss of health she has spent almost £700. But being in financial arrears herself, she cannot continue to support her, 15 October 1824. Also letter from Richard Grace, moral governor, Richmond Lunatic Asylum, Dublin, to Alexander Mangin, clerk, Civil Department, Dublin Castle, stating that an application for admission to the institution for Miss O’Rourke has been rejected. Explains that no space is presently available at the asylum for the applicant and in his view it is not the most appropriate establishment for her particular ailment, 15 December 1824.

15 Oct 1824-15 Dec 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/2136

File of material relating to a complaint following rescheduling of the annual King’s plate horse race at the Curragh of Kildare, County Kildare. Includes letter from Colonel William Whatley, Greenwood College, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, alleging that fraudulent motives are behind rescheduling of a horse racing competition for the King’s plate at the Curragh; also complains of the ranger’s conduct in accepting remuneration for issue of certificates, 30 August 1823. Also includes letter from Captain Robert Brown, Kildare, ranger of the Curragh, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, explaining the alteration in the date of King’s plate race was in recognition of the King’s visit to Ireland in 1821, 4 September 1823. Also includes letter from Brown, 16 Kildare Street, Dublin, to Goulburn, alluding to application for use of land at the Curragh by the Coursing Club and complaining of inability to exercise authority in protection of property, 2 December 1824. Also includes letter from Hartstonge Robinson, commissioner for crown lands in Ireland, Crown Lands Office, Treasury Chambers, Dublin Castle, to Goulburn, reporting the commissioners still await a submission of the Attorney General [William Conyngham Plunket] on the right of the crown to dispose of the lands at the Curragh, 11 January 1825.

9 Aug 1823-11 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1824/2137

Letter from Samuel Draper, secretary, Royal Canal House, Broadstone, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, recording appreciation for communication on work of labourers employed to repair a breach in the Royal Canal. Expresses hope that the waterway ‘will be preserved from further injury by the vigilance of the Police’ with responsibility for maintenance of peace in the district.

20 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1824/2138

Letter from Jonathan Sisson Cooper, commissioner, and Darcy Mahon, inspector general of stamp duties, Stamp Office, William Street, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing ‘A list of Officers, Stampers, and others, whose services are no longer required in this Department; setting forth their respective salaries, dates of appointment, and periods of service, and the Allowance to which each Individual is entitled…’ under law. Also copy letter from William Campbell, Cooper and Mahon, Stamp Office, Dublin, to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty’s Treasury, London, setting out rationale for a reduction in staff across the various departments of the Stamp Office in Ireland. Concludes a saving of £3,415 may be realised if their recommendations are accepted; also appends table of staff reductions showing name, job title, salary, date of appointment and period of service.

15 Oct 1824-22 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1824/2139

Letter from William Logan, prison inspector, 40 Marlborough Street, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing a duplicate estimate for repair of glazing at the Four Courts Marshalsea, Dublin. Estimate displays itemised costs broken down by letters A to F of work to be completed by W Edward.

14 Nov 1824-19 Nov 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/2140

File of material relating to remuneration claim from John and Ann Caldow, superintendents of works at the House of Industry, Dublin. Includes memorial from John and Ann Caldow, to the governors of the House of Industry, seeking payment of salary for duties at the institution. States they find the proportion of profits allowed for their work very inadequate, for they are obliged to supply needles, thread and other materials for manufacturing at the institution. They also find it necessary to employ several assistants in the work and are at the expense of providing their own accommodation, [1824]. Also includes extract from minutes of the board of visitors of the House of Industry, stipulating that an allowance of £50 per year will be paid to the Caldows for procurement of living quarters in the locality, signed by William Abbott, chief clerk, House of Industry, 6 May 1824.

6 May 1824-15 Dec 1824

1824