May 5th, 1846: In Clonoulty, Co Tipperary, Father Thomas O'Carroll spends two hours in his chapel distributing Indian meal to the poor.
May 7th: A special reporter of the Freeman's Journal writes from Co Clare that the means of the people are nearly exhausted "and they are in the utmost consternation at the prospect of utter destitution facing them full in the face".
In the village of Doonass, he found the parish priest, Father McMahon, a curate and two gentlemen dispensing meal.
"There were the representatives of at least 1,000 human beings collected about the place, all eager to get their bags filled with meal, in order to carry it off to their famishing children and families. Would that some landlords and legislators had witnessed the scene.
"The faithful clergy assisting their flocks in the trying hour of need, whilst the landlords, who are morally bound to take care of the persons from whom they derive their incomes, remain in listless apathy and leave the people to their fate.
"There are in the parish of Doonass over 250 families utterly destitute of food or the means of procuring it and, were it not for the exertions of the Catholic clergy, these unhappy people would at the present moment be without even the scanty allowance which is afforded them.
"I cannot omit mentioning a gratifying fact, namely, the Rev Mr Allen, a Protestant clergyman, has been most active in this parish in assisting the Rev Mr McMahon and his curates . . .
"I have never witnessed anything like the scene presented at Doonass: the creatures crowded round the windows of the house - the doors had to be closed; it was pitiable to hear the implorings of the mothers and daughters beseeching the reverend gentlemen to let them go at once as their children, fathers, or families were waiting for food."
From Petwort in Sussex, George Wyndham writes to Dublin Castle defending the removal of 77 families from his property in Co Clare. No person was evicted without the offer of being sent to Canada at his expense. "This offer was made from a desire that neither the neighbouring landlords nor the country should be encumbered by them."
According to his information, there is no scarcity of provisions in Ireland: "The cry is said to have been got up for political purposes."
Thomas Brereton, resident magistrate, reports that in Lorrha and Durra in Co Tipperary, 300 men proceeded to several gentlemen's houses and demanded employment or food. They were led by Anthony Moylan, "a great agitator" who has attended Repeal meetings all over the country.
They "stated that they would take the cattle off the fields if their demands were not complied with. They carried a loaf of bread on a large pole ... Their demeanour was quiet yet very determined." Mr Brereton adds: "I know there are several families in those parishes in distress."