Part of Records of Tullamore Union
11outsized broadsheets (with many duplicates) displaying information on the dispensary districts of Clara, Killoughey, Philipstown, Tullamore and Kilbeggan. Each notice displays the name of the medical officer and his hours and office location, as well as details of the relieving officer for the district, the committee of management, and the wardens, all of whom could issue tickets for medical relief.
Tullamore Union
Minute Books of the Committee of Management of Dispensary Districts
Part of Records of Tullamore Union
Five minute books of the Committees of Management of the Dispensary Districts of Clara, Kilbeggan, Killoughey, Philipstown and Tullamore, recording decisions relating to medical relief under the Medical Charities Act, 14 & 15 Vic. Cap. 68
Tullamore Union
Records of Offaly Board of Health and Public Assistance
This is a large set of records which broadly reflects the evolution of local authority health and welfare provision in Offaly. It contains minutes of committees established to oversee public health and public assistance, as well as administrative records detailing the admission and discharge of individuals into the County Home or the County Hospital. While the bulk of the records derived from the County Board of Health, there are a few outlying records from 1912-21 relating to transitional periods in the health service, or where registers were taken over from the preceding health system and incorporated into the new Board of Health. Likewise some county home and county hospital administrative records, particularly admission and discharge registers and financial ledgers which were kept by record-creators in an unbroken series, post-date the County Board of Health's executive function which ceased in 1942.
RECORDS RELATING TO MOTHER AND BABY HOMES AND BOARDED-OUT CHILDREN:
The main series of records which record unmarried mothers and/or decisions relating to the boarding-out of children are to be found in the Public Assistance Minute Books (Series 3) and the Admissions and Discharge registers for the County Home (Series 5).
While Offaly did not have a designated ‘Mother and Baby Home,’ the records show that unmarried mothers were regularly admitted to the County Home to give birth until the late 1940s, many staying for a significant period of time in the home with their children. In some instances, both mother and child were transferred from the home after the birth to other institutions such as Sean Ross Abbey, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, or Manor Home, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath.
From the late 1940s, it appears that unmarried mothers were either admitted directly to institutions in other counties (these records are held by other bodies) or transferred from the County Home to mother and baby homes outside Offaly before or after giving birth (these instances, which are infrequent from the late 1940s are recorded in the county home registers in this collection). Children entered in the registers of the county home are recorded as having been born there, or have been transferred into the county home from another institution before being 'placed' or 'boarded-out' in Offaly. It is possible to trace children by surname, noting the limitations of the records in terms of completeness and the date span.
In general terms and from an overview of the records, the incidence of names of unmarried mothers and their children decreases significantly over time. This is most likely due to unmarried mothers from Offaly entering institutions outside the county before the birth of their children. By the 1950s, there are only sporadic instances of births to unmarried mothers and of 'boarded-out' children recorded in the county home registers. This particular record series ends in 1957.
Offaly County Council
Records of King's County Infirmary
This collection contains the records of the King’s County Infirmary. Includes patient records, meeting minutes and annual reports. The patient registers detail patient illnesses, and treatment. The Board of Governors meeting minutes cover a variety of topics from general hospital management, finances, and staff appointments. The minutes also provide important information regarding the closure of the infirmary in 1921, following the establishment of the Offaly Board of Health by the republican-controlled county council during the War of Independence.
King's County Infirmary
Part of Loughton Papers
Handwritten book which documents local remedies for illnesses picked up by animals. Examples include Lawrence Kelly's cure for the scab, Mr Dillion’s salve for lambs and recipe for the black leg.
Part of Loughton Papers
Four diaries belonging to Dora Turnor.
Within the diaries Dora discusses her childhood and her activities with her siblings. On 12 January 1871 she writes 'Did lessons till half past 11, then went out with miss Maclean & Bert, we went down to the farm pond. I watched, Bert & Mr Ash skating. Bert skates alone now, & can go all round, the place that is swept without a tumble, of course she goes very slowly, then Miss Maclean & I walked down to the Brickyard, then came back, I walked home with Freddie & Bert (Mr Ash, never comes up to lunch, he always takes [the buns in his jacket]). After lunch, sat in the schoolroom with Miss Maclean , working till 4, then did lessons, till half past 6, Bert did not come in till a quarter to 5 so, she had not finished her lessons till7. From half past 6 till 7, I had a game of. G.B, G, with Freddie, in [Solie's] bedroom, she was then also , nursing Hugh. Had tea at 7 & from half past 7 till half past 8 sat in the schoolroom working, & the last 20 minutes writing my journal. Fine ? last night, Edie, Freddie, Charlie, Bertha, Mr Ash, were all skating this afternoon. Bert, Freddie & Charlie, all tumbling about, & going very slowly, Edie went a little further than they did , & did not have any falls. [Grose, ?] went to Grantham (they started about 12, & were back about half past four)...'.
Dora also frankly discusses her struggle with asthma and her frustrations with the impact it has on her life. On the 22 August 1871 she records the everyday impact of her illness. ,' Got a cold & asthma did not go out of my bedroom till Friday August 25th then went into Mama's bedroom. I also went into Mamas bedroom on the 26th. There is a nice little cat stairs which I cuddle all day.' By 1875 Dora grew increasingly frustrated with her struggle with asthma and chronicles this frustration. ' Oh this bitter, bitter life, how hard it is to bear! Feeling always ill, & unable to do much, being alone nearly all day, having nobody to talk to, & nothing to do except knit, seeing everybody going for nice drives & long walks by the sea. Being told, they have come here on purpose for me, & that it was such of expense, & bored Papa, & kept Bertha away from her hunting. I should been much happier alone with Miss E, & not half so much alone, as Bert is always taking her for long walks...'
Diary used to record illnesses and trips out.
Part of Loughton Papers
Notebook in which Dora Trench has noted how many times she went out monthly and any illnesses she suffered during those months. The back of the diary also contains addresses of friends.
Part of Loughton Papers
File of diaries written by Dora Trench which chart the last nine years of her life.
These diaries record the birth of her two daughters. Her eldest daughter Sheelah Trench was born on the 28 May ' 9 am Baby born. Eddie came at 11 p.m yesterday, & staid (sic) here all night also Blanche. Sent for Dr. Brodi about 12 p.m he came straight away again. He came again at 6 a.m & staid (sic) till 10 or 11. Chloroform from 6 till 9, took 2 oz.' The birth of her youngest daughter was recorded in Dora's diary by her husband Benjamin as she was preoccupied.17 Jul 1891 '...6.50 am baby girl born'
Her diary also records the sudden decline in her health and her eventual death in 1899. On the 27 March 1899 Dora writes about her final day before her asthma took hold, 'Shopped in [Brougham] & went to tea with Georgie walked home. Sheelah in with cold. Muriel to tea. Very mild, dull, showery. Thora went to 2nd dancing lesson.' Her death on the 7 April 1899 was recorded by Benjamin Bloomfield Trench who simply writes, 'My darling wife breathed her last at [Glebelands]. '
Part of Loughton Papers
Files of letters received by Theodora Trench from 1953 until 1957.
The majority of the letters were sent by Sheelah Lefroy and covered topics such as arranging meetings, her Langlois' health, birthday wishes and Sheelah's attempt to straighten the main road. In 1957 Sheelah discusses her husband's heart attack which eventually led to his death.
The letters in the file include a reference for Mr. Yeats from W. Y Chisholm, Estate office, Athy Street, Carlow; a reference for Alexander Gamage, from C. Howard Bury managing director of the Charleville estate company and a letter from Jacqueline [?] regarding her move to Greece, her new apartment and her child. Other letters within the file include a letter from the Department of Education regarding the appointment of Mrs Harton as temporary school principal and a letter from Derick [?], Falla Street, Paraparaumu Beach, New Zealand.
Lefroy, Sheelah Georgiana Bertha
Part of Loughton Papers
Two letters from Bertha Turnor to Dora Trench.
In the letters she expresses concern about Dora , 'it was a great relief to hear you were better at this new place & i do trust it will continue. i have regretted much that i did not go with you, however by this new plan of Bennie's you will be well taken care of & not left alone at all'
Turnor, Bertha