It has been described as a nineteenth century Domesday book, as a colossal contribution to Irish literature and history. It is all that, but it is also fascinating reading for the average citizen. It is the series of Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland 1830 to 1840 issuing from the Institute of Irish Studies at Queen's University, Belfast, Ireland shortly before the Famine. This 38th volume (softback £8.75) deals with parishes of Northeast Donegal. Emigration, the subdividing of even small properties, the religion of the people, the landlords and agents, the housing, the food of the people, the special physical features of each parish and much else.
For example. There was a farm in the chapter on Lough Swilly, 37 acres, of which one third was bog. In 1781 it was occupied by one man. Later, he "divided it off in equal shares to his 6 children." In 1823 it was in 13 holdings, supporting 91 persons. In one parish: "They are beginning to emigrate to America. About 20 have gone this year. In the parish of Killygarvan "About 50 persons annually emigrate to America. The families are Protestant, the individuals Roman Catholics."
Rents: "The old method of paying rents by the produce of a farm of 6 acres was thus: the potatoes and oats fed the family, the straw the cow, the barley paid the November rent, its straw thatched the cabin. The flax turned into cloth kept the family engaged in the winter and paid the May rent."
The chapters are divided under structured subheadings, a aregular being Gentleman's Seats. One Glebe House, we are told cost 6,000 pounds to build. The gentry set up a regatta at ????????? in 1833 which brought many "boats, booths and beggars together" and some fighting. "I have not heard" writes Lieutenant W Laneey, one of the authors "of any advantage arising from this regatta."
Lancey and his colleague Lieutenant Delves Brought provide the backbone, but much additional material was called in from other larned and responsible sources. Fishing and fisheries are dealt with extensively. Perhaps for another day. The series, edited by Angelique Day and Patrick McWilliams, has two to go. It ends with volume 40. But we may expect additional works on the theme. A wonderful achievement.